EXISTENTIAL OBSESSIONS: A CASE OF POSTPARTUM OBSESSIVE-COMPULSIVE DISORDER

Existential obsessions(EO) are an uncommon typeofobsessive thought, also described as philosophical or ruminativeobsessions. In Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) with postpartum onset, the clinical picture frequently counts with intrusive thoughts about infant harm and compulsions of verification. We report an unusual case of a patient with postpartum onset OCD, who presented with EO. The case highlights the importance of actively exploring the symptomatology, for an accurate differential diagnosis. In particular, in the postpartum period, a correct psychiatric diagnosis has significant therapeutic and prognostic implications.