Frequently Asked Questions:
The Psychological Component of Infertility
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1. What
impact does infertility have on psychological well being?
Infertility often creates one of the most distressing life crises that
a couple has ever experienced together. The long term inability to conceive
a child can evoke significant feelings of loss. Coping with the multitude
of medical decisions and the uncertainties that infertility brings can
create great emotional upheaval for most couples. If you find yourself
feeling anxious, depressed, out of control, or isolated, you are not alone.
2. How
do I know if I could benefit from psychological counseling?
Everyone has feelings and emotional ups and downs as they pursue infertility
treatment. Feeling overwhelmed at times is a perfectly normal response.
However, if you experience any of the following symptoms over a prolonged
period of time, you may benefit a great deal from working with a mental
health professional:
-
loss of interest in usual activities
-
depression that doesn't lift
-
strained interpersonal relationships (with partner, family, friends and/or
colleagues)
-
difficulty thinking of anything other than your infertility
-
high levels of anxiety.
-
diminished ability to accomplish tasks
-
difficulty with concentration
-
change in your sleep patterns (difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep,
early morning awakening, sleeping more than usual for you)
-
change in your appetite or weight (increase or decrease)
-
increased use of drugs or alcohol
-
thoughts about death or suicide
-
social isolation
-
persistent feelings of pessimism, guilt, or worthlessness
-
persistent feelings of bitterness or anger
In addition, there are certain points during infertility treatment when
discussion with a mental health professional of various options and exploration
of your feelings about these options can help facilitate clarification
of your thinking and help with your decision making. For example, consultation
with a mental health professional may be helpful to you and your partner
if you are:
-
at a treatment crossroad
-
deciding between alternative treatment possibilities
-
exploring other family building options
-
considering third party assistance (gamete donation, surrogacy)
-
having difficulty communicating or if you have different ideas about what
direction to take
3. How
can psychological treatment help me/us cope with infertility?
Mental health professionals with experience in infertility treatment
can help a great deal. Their primary goal is to help individuals and couples
learn how to cope with the physical and emotional changes associated with
infertility, as well as with the medical treatments that can be painful
and intrusive. For some, the focus may be on how to deal with a partner's
response. For others, it may be on how to choose the right medical treatment
or how to begin exploring other family building options. For still others,
it may be on how to control stress, anxiety, or depression. By teaching
patients problem- solving strategies in a supportive environment, mental
health professionals help people work through their grief, fear, and other
emotions so that they can find resolution of their infertility. A good
therapist can help you sort out feelings, strengthen already present coping
skills and develop new ones, and communicate with others more clearly.
For many, the life crisis of infertility eventually proves to be an opportunity
for life-enhancing personal growth.
4. How
can I find a mental health professional experienced in working with infertility?
Make sure you choose a mental health professional who is familiar with
the emotional experience of infertility. It is recommended that they have:
-
a graduate degree in a mental health profession
-
a license to practice and/or state registration
-
clinical training in the psychological aspects of infertility
-
experience in the medical and psychological aspects of reproductive medicine
Interview more than one person. Ask them for their credentials as well
as their experience with infertility issues and treatments. Ask if they
are currently seeing other people with infertility.
For referral
to a competent mental health professional, you can check the ASRM
web page to find members of The Mental
Health Professionals Group.
You could also ask your reproductive endocrinologist for
names of people that he/she would recommend or contact a national support
group such as RESOLVE
(Tel:
1-888-623-0744) or The American
Infertility Association (AIA) (Tel: 1-888-917-3777).
Find a mental health professional
in your area.
Return to the Mental Health Professional Group
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American Society for Reproductive Medicine
formerly The American Fertility Society
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