Pseudocyesis, also known as psychological pregnancy, is a disorder in which the woman is convinced that she is pregnant, even when medical tests indicate otherwise. The condition is classified as a somatoform disorder, where the physical symptoms have no proven medical basis.
Between 60 and 90% of women with pseudocyesis may experience an increase in abdominal volume, according to experts.
Women who have a history of psychological or psychiatric disorders, as well as those who have experienced trauma such as the loss of a child, sexual abuse, history of miscarriage, pressure from a partner or family to get pregnant, difficulties getting pregnant or infertility are more likely to develop pseudocyesis.
The body may experience reactions such as lack of menstruation, nausea and morning sickness, food cravings, drowsiness, growth and pain in the breasts, increased appetite, production of milk in the breasts and abdominal distention. Many of these symptoms are experienced so authentically that the woman can feel her belly grow, the baby move, the pains and contractions of childbirth. Even if there is no birth, the woman may persist in the belief that the baby will come at some point and can wait indefinitely.
Pseudocyesis can be diagnosed through medical examinations that indicate the absence of a gestational sac, embryo/fetus and placenta. However, even with negative results, many women are not convinced that the pregnancy is not real. In these cases, psychological treatment is indicated to identify the origin of the disorder and treat the cause. Intervention with hormonal drugs may also be necessary to regularize menstruation and stop milk production.
It is important to remember that psychological pregnancy is not an invention of the woman, as she really believes she is pregnant. Pseudocyesis may be the brain’s way of coping with psychological adversity. Therefore, judgments do not help to improve the condition. The family must provide support, comfort and follow the psychological treatment to better understand the condition and know how to deal with it.
Pseudocyesis, also known as psychological pregnancy, is a disorder in which the woman is convinced that she is pregnant, even when medical tests indicate otherwise. The condition is classified as a somatoform disorder, where the physical symptoms have no proven medical basis.
Between 60 and 90% of women with pseudocyesis may experience an increase in abdominal volume, according to experts.
Women who have a history of psychological or psychiatric disorders, as well as those who have experienced trauma such as the loss of a child, sexual abuse, history of miscarriage, pressure from a partner or family to get pregnant, difficulties getting pregnant or infertility are more likely to develop pseudocyesis.
The body may experience reactions such as lack of menstruation, nausea and morning sickness, food cravings, drowsiness, growth and pain in the breasts, increased appetite, production of milk in the breasts and abdominal distention. Many of these symptoms are experienced so authentically that the woman can feel her belly grow, the baby move, the pains and contractions of childbirth. Even if there is no birth, the woman may persist in the belief that the baby will come at some point and can wait indefinitely.
Pseudocyesis can be diagnosed through medical examinations that indicate the absence of a gestational sac, embryo/fetus and placenta. However, even with negative results, many women are not convinced that the pregnancy is not real. In these cases, psychological treatment is indicated to identify the origin of the disorder and treat the cause. Intervention with hormonal drugs may also be necessary to regularize menstruation and stop milk production.
It is important to remember that psychological pregnancy is not an invention of the woman, as she really believes she is pregnant. Pseudocyesis may be the brain’s way of coping with psychological adversity. Therefore, judgments do not help to improve the condition. The family must provide support, comfort and follow the psychological treatment to better understand the condition and know how to deal with it.
