We have all heard of the concept of psychological pregnancy. However, we could see it as something distant. A concept that we have seen in some films or documentaries.
We have sometimes heard the term psychological pregnancy because an animal in our home has experienced it. This usually happens mostly in dogs. However, people can suffer too This type of pregnancy is also known as pseudocyesis.
In this article, we will discover its characteristics and the most appropriate treatment options.
Features of a psychological pregnancy
Currently, cases of psychological pregnancies are quite rareAt least in our society. The reason for this is found, as some studies indicate, in the social significance of pregnancy.
Many years ago, the woman needed to have children to feel that she had fulfilled her mission.. The biological predisposition to pregnancy, the impossibility of conceiving and the stress that this entailed, made her susceptible to pseudocyesis.
Currently, the importance of having children has been greatly reduced. Now there are other kinds of interests and being a mother is an option that many women don’t accept. However, they shouldn’t feel bad about it.
However, we will see the characteristics that allow us to do this detect a psychological pregnancy:
- Increased abdominal volume and weight.
- Morning sickness similar to that of a pregnancy.
- Absence of menstruation.
- Breast enlargement and milk production.
- Sensation that the baby moves.
Although all these symptoms can clearly indicate that there is a pregnancy, in the case of pseudocyesis these appear without any child being present.
real case of pseudocyesis
Dr. Ana Cecilia Marquez wrote a case of a real psychological pregnancy. In it, she explained how a 34-year-old patient arrived at her office with a 28-week pregnancy. At least, that was what she claimed.
The reason for the consultation was the child’s lack of movement. Her pregnancy had been diagnosed because of the symptoms she was presenting. These were:
- Amenorrhea or absence of menstruation.
- Milk secretion.
- Increased abdominal volume.
- Excessive sleepiness or hypersomnia.
- Increased appetite.
- Dizziness and vomiting.
- Changes in skin pigmentation.
After corroborating this symptomatology, a study was carried out on the patient in which it was highlighted that there was an absence of the baby’s heartbeat. For this, an ultrasound scan was performed, the images of which gave no indication that the woman was pregnant.
Psychological treatment of pregnancy
As we could verify, a psychological pregnancy causes real symptoms but which do not correspond to the state of the woman who suffers them. It’s not an easy situation, so treatments usually focus on the psychological aspect.
1. Psychological assistance
This type of assistance is essential when a psychological pregnancy is diagnosed.. Many times women manifest it as a way to escape some emotion that they are unable to handle.
Also, maybe yours desire to be a mother and the inability to realize it (due to relationship problems or infertility), cause stress and anxiety leading to pseudocyesis.
All this will be treated in the consultation of a psychologist. Normally, the woman rejects the possibility that she is not pregnant. However, as soon as you accept what is happening to you, this type of pregnancy usually goes away on its own.
2. Psychiatric involvement
While attending a psychologist’s office is important, the involvement of a psychiatrist can also be important. Indeed, these two professionals usually act together in certain situations to get better results.
Also, in the case of a psychological pregnancy, ovulation-inducing drugs may be needed, the absence of which causes amenorrhea. This way the patient You may be aware, as your period returns, that your pregnancy was only in your imagination.
Has anyone close to you ever experienced a psychological pregnancy? Have any pets you’ve owned experienced this? We hope this article has helped you better understand this circumstance that some women go through.
With all this, We stress the importance of relying on psychological health professionalssince with your help this situation can not only be resolved, but also a solution and improve the well-being of the patient.
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