Prevalence and onset of anxiety and related disorders throughout pregnancy: A prospective study in an Australian sample

The aims of this study were to investigate the prevalence of anxiety and related disorders (e.g., obsessivecompulsive disorder [OCD]) and major depressive disorder (MDD) at any time during pregnancy and during each pregnancy trimester and ascertain the proportions of women with an onset of these disorders during pregnancy. Several questionnaires and the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview were administered to 200 women at each pregnancy trimester. Complete data were obtained from 148 participants. The most prevalent anxiety disorder at any time during pregnancy was panic disorder (PD), followed by generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) and OCD. Unlike all the other disorders, the prevalence rates of OCD increased steadily from the first to the third trimester. Approximately one half of women with OCD and about one third of women with PD, GAD and MDD at any time during pregnancy had an onset of these disorders during pregnancy. Pregnancy may be a risk factor for an onset of OCD and to a lesser extent, for an onset of PD, GAD and MDD. Absence of remission of OCD during pregnancy despite treatment may suggest treatment resistance of OCD at this time. These findings have implications for recognition, prevention and treatment of anxiety disorders during pregnancy.

Automated summary

This study investigated the prevalence of anxiety and related disorders during pregnancy, with OCD showing a steady increase in prevalence from the first to the third trimester. A significant proportion of women developed these disorders during pregnancy, indicating a potential risk factor. The findings have important implications for the recognition, prevention, and treatment of anxiety disorders during pregnancy.