News: Coping with Stress of Infertility
Posted: 2009-10-12 by Lisa Lombard, Ph.D.
Coping with infertility is stressful for your mind and your body. It can generate or intensify feelings of anxiety, depression, low self-worth, a sense of a lack of control, and anger. For many women it is excruciatingly painful to experience this sense of unfairness and helplessness. Their usually strong problem-solving and coping skills are not effective in the face of unexplained infertility. Hypnotherapy and expressive forms of therapy can help you re-gain a sense of control, calm, and creativity. These are healthy tools to deal with a multi-faceted mind-body dilemma.
Portions of the following patient fact sheet are excerpted from the
AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR REPRODUCTIVE MEDICINE
1209 Montgomery Highway • Birmingham, Alabama 35216-2809 • T E L (205) 978-5000 • FAX (205) 978-5005 • E-MAIL a s r m @ a s r m . org • URL w w w. a s r m . org
PATIENT’S FACT SHEET
Infertility Counseling and Support: When and Where To Find It?
Infertility is a medical condition that touches all aspects
of your life. It may affect your relationships with others,
your perspective on life, and how you feel about yourself.
How you deal with these feelings will depend on your personality
and life experiences. Most people can benefit
from the support of family, friends, medical caregivers,
and professional counselors. When considering infertility
treatment options such as sperm, egg, and embryo donation
or gestational carriers, it may be especially helpful to
gain the assistance of an infertility counselor. The following
information may help you decide if you need to seek
professional help in managing the emotional stresses associated
with infertility or need assistance in decisions
regarding your treatment options.
WHEN DO I NEED TO SEE AN
I N F E RT I L I T Y C O U N S E L O R ?
Consider counseling if you are feeling depressed, anxious,
or so preoccupied with your infertility that you feel it is
hard to enjoy life. You may also want to consider counseling
if you are feeling “stuck” and need to sort out your
options and alternatives. Signs that you might benefit
from counseling include:
•persistent feelings of sadness, guilt, or worthlessness
•social isolation
•loss of interest in usual activities and relationships
•depression
•agitation and anxiety
•increased mood swings
•constant preoccupation with infertility
•marital discord
•difficulty concentrating and remembering
•increased use of alcohol or drugs
•a change in appetite, weight, or sleep patterns
•thoughts about suicide or death
•difficulty with scheduled intercourse
WHERE CAN I GET SUPPORT and HOW CAN PSYCHOTHERAPY HELP?
Books ...support groups and meetings can reduce the feeling of isolation and provide an opportunity to learn from others who are experiencing infertility...Individual and couple counseling offer the chance to talk
with an experienced professional who will help you sort out your feelings, identify coping mechanisms, and help you choose solutions to your problems. Discussions with family members and friends are also options.
The American Society for Reproductive Medicine grants permission to photocopy this fact sheet (above) and distribute it to patients.