Introduction
The hope of a new life and the accompanying physical and psychological changes make pregnancy a powerful experience. Nonetheless, delusional pregnancy, often referred to as pseudocyesis, is a psychological condition that some people experience in conjunction with their wish to conceive.
What Is Delusional Pregnancy?
Delusional pregnancy, also known as pseudocyesis, occurs when an individual thinks they are pregnant when they are not. Another name for it is phantom pregnancy. A person with pseudocyesis experiences and exhibits pregnancy symptoms. Pregnancy tests and ultrasonography, however, reveal that they are not carrying a live fetus in their uterus. Healthcare professionals think hormonal and psychological factors may contribute to this uncommon illness.
How Common Is Delusional Pregnancy?
Delusional pregnancy is rare. One to six cases occur for every 22,000 live births. Patients between the ages of 16 and 39 have been reported to have the majority of instances. Before accurate pregnancy tests, false pregnancies were more frequent.
What Distinguishes a True Pregnancy From Delusional Pregnancy?
The existence of a fetus is the primary distinction between a fake pregnancy and a genuine pregnancy. Even though a person with a delusional pregnancy may feel and exhibit pregnancy-related symptoms, an ultrasound, blood test, or pregnancy test will reveal they are not.
What Are the Symptoms of Delusional Pregnancy?
As a person with a delusional pregnancy believes they are pregnant or have a disorder generating pregnancy symptoms, the symptoms are comparable to those of true pregnancy. Some people, for instance, may claim to feel movement in their uterus.
Additional typical signs of a fake pregnancy include:
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Tenderness in the breasts.
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Enlarged abdomen.
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Missed the menstrual cycle.
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Gaining weight.
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Morning sickness or nausea.
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Food aversions or desires.
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Fake contractions during labor.
What Causes Delusional Pregnancy?
Although the exact origin of delusional pregnancy is unknown, medical professionals believe that hormonal and psychological variables may be involved. A person exhibiting physical symptoms of a condition without a known medical cause may be classified as a somatic symptom disorder. Sometimes, it results from a deep longing or desire for a child that becomes so great that it overcomes the person's intellectual comprehension of their physiological status. This illness may also arise as a result of other variables like marital dynamics, cultural pressure, or unsolved psychological concerns. The following are some of the causes of delusional pregnancy:
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Intense urge to conceive.
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Several miscarriages.
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The death of a child.
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Fertility problems.
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Severe anxiety about getting pregnant.
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Anxiety or depression.
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Psychological trauma.
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Sexual mistreatment.
What Are the Delusional Pregnancy-Related Psychological Factors?
The mind-body link has significant potential. Some medical professionals think that the most frequent reason for delusional pregnancy is the desire to get pregnant. Someone can want to get pregnant so much that their body tricks them into thinking they are. Another condition that may increase the chance of a fake pregnancy is depression brought on by infertility or miscarriage.
What Are the Hormonal Causes of Delusional Pregnancy?
Hormone alterations can be brought on by medical illnesses such as cancer, menopause, and uterine tumors. Hormonal fluctuations may imitate signs of pregnancy, such as irregular periods, exhaustion, or increased body mass. Before making the diagnosis of pseudocyesis, medical professionals might want to rule out these illnesses. A strong desire to conceive may have a direct effect on hormones and result in pregnancy symptoms.
How to Diagnose Delusional Pregnancy?
To check for pregnancy, medical professionals may use an ultrasound, blood test, urine test, or pelvic exam. These tests will prove that conception did not occur and the individual is not pregnant if a false pregnancy has happened. Individuals suffering from this illness could feel angry, let down, or doubtful that there is not a fetus. Since ultrasound is the most visual diagnostic test for pregnancy, it can be the greatest choice to persuade a person with pseudocyesis that they are not pregnant.
Pregnancy and some medical problems share similar symptoms. Pregnancy hormones, for instance, are secreted by a rare type of cancer. Medical professionals may carry out further testing to rule out illnesses that could be the source of pregnancy symptoms.
What Is the Treatment for Delusional Pregnancy?
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Convincing someone they are not pregnant is the first step in treatment. It is beneficial to use ultrasound or other imaging techniques to demonstrate to the patient that no fetus is growing inside their body.
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Healthcare professionals must also treat the medical disorders that produce the symptoms of pregnancy—for instance, helping the patient start their menstrual cycle with hormone therapy.
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Usually, delusional pregnancy is handled like a psychological disorder. Emotional support, behavioral therapy, and guidance from a therapist or counselor are all necessary to treat pseudocyesis. Healing requires recognizing the causes of false pregnancies and learning how to manage them.
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People going through delusional pregnancy need the help of friends, family, and medical professionals. Individuals might greatly benefit from nonjudgmental support, validation of emotions, and empathy when navigating this difficult situation.
It is critical to acknowledge delusional pregnancy as a legitimate psychiatric phenomenon deserving of sympathy and understanding. People might start to find closure and healing by addressing the underlying emotional and psychological problems that contribute to the belief of pregnancy.
Can People Get a Positive Pregnancy Test With Delusional Pregnancy?
People will not receive a positive pregnancy test result. Human chorionic gonadotropin, or HCG, is the hormone measured by at-home pregnancy tests. HCG is only produced by placental cells during pregnancy. Urine tests and ultrasounds can also verify that there is no developing fetus inside a person.
Conclusion
Despite being uncommon, delusional pregnancy is a complicated psychiatric disorder that can have a significant effect on people who experience it. Helping people through this difficult experience requires understanding the underlying causes and offering the right support and care. People can return to mental health and healing with expert assistance, sensitivity, and understanding.
Individuals experiencing delusional pregnancy need a compassionate support system. Loved ones would benefit from talking through their feelings. They are mourning the loss of a pregnancy and dealing with many emotions (anger, sadness, grief, or trauma). Being there for friends or partners and showing care will go a long way in their healing.
