Pseudocyesis or False Pregnancy Counseling
False pregnancy, also known as pseudocyesis, occurs when a woman believes she is pregnant but is not. Although testing will show there is no pregnancy, people with pseudocyesis have pregnancy-like symptoms. Medical professionals think that psychological and hormonal factors may be to blame.
Why some women get pseudocyesis
during this time is unknown. However, the top three hypotheses are. According
to some mental health professionals or Online Counsellors, it is related to having a strong
desire for or fear of being pregnant. It's likely that this has an effect on
the endocrine system, which leads to symptoms associated with pregnancy. Feel
free to seek consultation from the best Psychologist near
me at Talktoangel.
Another viewpoint focuses on
granting wishes. Some mental health professionals believe that when a woman
desperately wants to get pregnant, whether it's due to infertility, previous
losses, or her desire to start a family, she could wrongly interpret some
physical changes as being a telltale sign of pregnancy.
The third hypothesis centers on
particular chemical changes in the nervous system that are linked to depressive
illnesses.
A fake pregnancy frequently
resembles pregnancy in all respects when there is no baby there. The woman is
constantly certain that she is expecting a child.
A swollen abdomen that resembles a pregnant bulge is the most common physical symptom. The belly may begin to grow as the baby grows, just as it did during pregnancy. Despite not being caused by a baby, this belly growth happens during a fake pregnancy. Instead, it's believed to be caused by the development of:
- Gas
- Fat
- Feces
- Urine
Women's irregular menstrual cycles
rank as the second most prevalent physical symptom. The majority of women who
experienced pseudocyesis—between 55 and 75 percent—said they felt the baby
move. Several women assert that they felt the baby kick even though there was
never a baby there.
It can be difficult to distinguish some other symptoms, such as the ones listed below, from those that occur during a true pregnancy.
- Morning sickness and vomiting
- Lack
of menstruation or amenorrhea
- Tender
breasts
- Changes
to breasts, including size and pigmentation
- Lactation
- Weight
gain
- Labor
pains
- Sleep
Disturbances
- Inverted
Bell Button
- Increased
appetite or craving
- Enlargement
of the uterus
- Softening
of the cervix
- False labor
These symptoms can be so convincing
that even medical professionals can be fooled.
The exact cause of pseudocyesis is
unknown, however psychological and hormonal variables are thought to play a
role. When a person exhibits physical symptoms of a condition without a clear
medical cause, it may be labeled a somatic symptom disorder.
The following are a few causes of pseudocyesis or psychological pregnancy:
- I really want to get pregnant.
- Number of miscarriages
- The death of a child.
- Infertility.
- Extreme anxiety about getting pregnant.
- Either anxiety or depression.
- Psychological harm.
- Social ostracism
- Sexual assault
The link between the mind and body
is potent. Some medical professionals or best psychiatrist in India, think that the most
typical reason for pseudocyesis is the desire to become pregnant. Because of
their intense desire to become pregnant, some people may experience
physiological pregnancy symptoms. Another issue that increases the chance of a
fake pregnancy is depression brought on by infertility or
miscarriage. To have a proper diagnosis, consultation with best clinical psychologist in Janakpuri,
Dwarka, Vasant Vihar, Pitampura, Greater Kailash, Defense Colony, Gurugram Faidabad, Noida, Delhi NCR.
Changes in a person's hormone levels
might result from diseases including cancer, menopause, or uterine tumors.
These hormonal alterations can resemble pregnancy symptoms like exhaustion,
weight gain, and missed periods. Before identifying pseudocyesis, medical
professionals may want to rule out certain illnesses. A strong desire to get
pregnant might directly affect hormones and result in pregnancy symptoms.
Convincing a person they aren't
pregnant is the first step in treatment. The use of ultrasound and other imaging
techniques to demonstrate to the patient that there is no fetus developing
inside their body is useful.
Medical disorders producing the
symptoms of pregnancy will also need to be treated by healthcare professionals.
Using hormone therapy, for instance, can assist someone in starting their
period.
The majority of the time,
pseudocyesis is handled as a psychological issue. Psychological counseling, behavioral treatment, and emotional
support are all part of treating pseudocyesis. Healing depends on recognizing
and dealing with the causes of the fake pregnancy.
A caring support network is
necessary for those who have pseudocyesis. Most likely, helping your loved ones
talk through their feelings would be beneficial. They are mourning the loss of
a pregnancy and coping with a wide range of emotions, including trauma, rage,
sadness, and grief. Being there for your buddy or partner and demonstrating
your concern will help them heal.
Although the signs of pregnancy and
pseudocyesis are remarkably similar, there is one significant distinction. When
there is a false pregnancy, there is simply no baby. That's because there was
never a concept, despite signs that could suggest otherwise. Consult your
doctor if you are unsure or think you might be pregnant.
If you are looking for “Counsellor near me” for your mental health concerns. TalktoAngel India’s No.1 Online Counselling and mental health well-being platform.
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