Psychological Pregnancy In Women And Men, A Reality?
Psychological pregnancy affects both women and men. If you think that someone around you or you yourself may be in this situation, enter and discover the keys to detect it.
In 1960, Dr. Radebaugh, a young, inexperienced pediatrician, volunteered at a clinic in Rochester. One night while practicing at the agricultural clinic, he quickly answered a call from a woman who said she was in labor. When he saw her arrive, he quickly inspected her and concluded that in her condition she was going to give birth at any moment. Her diagnosis was clear and precise: urgently transfer her to the emergency room of a nearby hospital. The next thing the doctor remembers is that he helped the pregnant woman sit in a wheelchair in the hospital while the woman’s water broke. The next day he received a lesson that would remain etched in her memory: the patient was not pregnant, it was a case of pseudocyesis or psychological pregnancy
Although psychological pregnancy is one of the most unusual diseases, there are many records of these cases even from ancient times. Hippocrates himself described cases of women who thought they were pregnant Another of the most striking cases was that of Mary Tudor (the queen of England during the 16th century), better known by the nickname Bloody Mary, with whom it is also speculated that she suffered pseudocyesis or psychological pregnancy.
The psychological pregnancies They are conditions where patients present all the signs and symptoms of pregnancy except the presence of a fetus. In this disease, the patient has all the signs of being pregnant and can even give birth without having a baby in her lap.
For many years, many theories have been named about the origins of psychological pregnancy or pseudocyesis. Even Sigmund Freud stated that his most famous patient, nicknamed Anna O, I thought I was pregnant from his previous psychoanalyst. On the other hand, many psychiatrists attribute that pseudocyesis occurs in those patients who desperately want pregnancy or want to feel this experience.
Many theories suggest that the origins of psychological pregnancies are clearly in the subconscious. But studies from the University of Michigan, among others, also indicate that many patients have hormone levels similar to a real pregnancy. In this way, the psychological pregnancy in women shows the result of feedback between the mind and the body.
Does psychological pregnancy exist in men?
A few years ago, newspapers in the United Kingdom surprised all their readers with shocking news. Harry Ashby, a 29-year-old man, suffered all the pregnancy symptoms: It even showed an increase in breast and abdomen. All of this coincided with the recent pregnancy of his girlfriend.
Although he psychological pregnancy in men is more anomalous than that of women, the reality is that Ashby was neither the only one nor the first. According to Gil Sánchez, a gynecologist and psychiatrist specialized in perinatal mental health, what is specifically called Couvade syndrome does not happen (in the same way as it does in women) because the man believes he is pregnant. The reality is that this disease arises from the somatization of a psychological conflict in which the patient is not able to resolve it rationally.
What are the symptoms of pseudocyesis or psychological pregnancy?
Many studies have emerged for this phenomenon but even so, doctors and psychologists do not know what the specific cause is that creates all of these symptoms. Studies suggest that the main source of this affectation is trauma, both physical and mental, which ends up generating a chemical imbalance in the body.
If you have doubts about whether you may be facing a case of these characteristics, it is very important that you consult both a specialist psychologist and a doctor. A large part of women who suffer psychological pregnancies are actually convinced that they are in a real pregnancy process. But aside, some of the main symptoms of psychological pregnancy are:
• missed periods • swollen belly • weight gain • frequent urination • changes in skin and hair • swollen breasts • sensations of fetal movements and contractions • morning sickness
In addition to all these symptoms, there are many cases where patients feel uncomfortable with their body and emotions. In order to determine if we are facing a psychological pregnancy in women the main tool will be to check it through a pregnancy test.
How to treat false pregnancy or pseudocyesis
There are many women who want a pregnancy with all their might because of all the emotions and joys that it entails. The pregnancy process is full of great moments, from hopes to a greater sentimental bond with your partner. Women who mistakenly think they are pregnant live all these thoughts fully. For this reason, dealing with a psychological pregnancy is a very delicate issue. Having the help of professionals will undoubtedly be the best alternative to be able to provide the emotional and psychological support what these women need to get out of this situation.
