If you or a loved one recently received an upsetting—possibly life-threatening—diagnosis, you might be feeling a mixture of shock, disbelief, fear, sadness, and anger. It’s completely normal for you to feel this way. Many people think of grief only in terms of the death of a loved one, but it can also stem from losing your health (or from any other major life change).

Coping With the Loss of Health

Everyone processes grief differently, and you’ll need to find the approach that works best for you. With that said, you may want to try:

• Speaking to a therapist – You may feel like you need to put on a brave face around your loved ones, but with an objective therapist, you can freely share the feelings you’re experiencing.
• Joining a support group – Talking to other people who are in the same position as you can help you feel less alone. Plus, they may be able to share advice about what has helped them cope with their own diagnoses.
• Accepting help – Your friends and family members love you and want to do whatever they can to help you through this difficult time. Many people turn down offers of assistance, not wanting to impose or be seen as weak. But with medical appointments and everything else you have on your plate right now, having someone cook a meal, run errands, or do your laundry could make life easier and give you more time to process your diagnosis. 

Speak to a Therapist About Your Grief

If you’re struggling to cope with the loss of your own health or a loved one’s health, we’re here for you. We have extensive experience helping patients heal from loss, and we can do the same for you. Contact us today and let us know that you’d like to schedule your first therapy session.

Infertility is a condition that refers to an inability to become pregnant or to take a baby to term after one year of trying. This is a heartbreaking reality for many women across the globe. In fact, it is estimated that in the United States alone, roughly 6 million women suffer from infertility, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

What Causes Infertility?

Infertility can be caused by a variety of health issues. The most common is Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), which is a hormonal disorder that negatively impacts ovulation.

Other disorders that cause infertility in women are:

• Uterine fibroids
• Endometriosis
• Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
• Blocked fallopian tubes
• Uterus deformities or abnormalities

And finally, one of the primary reasons for infertility is a woman’s age. Nearly one-third of all women over the age of 35 experience fertility issues. 

Infertility and a Woman’s Mental Health

Infertility is a very stressful issue to deal with and it can greatly impact a woman’s mental health. Research published by the North Carolina Medical Journal found that common mental health concerns of fertility patients are symptoms of depression and anxiety. 

Patients frequently report that each month’s cycle becomes a tumultuous storm of emotions ranging from anger, sadness, fear, and guilt. And the more demanding and intrusive the fertility treatment protocols become, the greater the emotions felt.

Much focus is given to the physical aspects of not being able to conceive. But it is important for women to recognize that their mental health may be impacted and to get help.

If you or someone you know is suffering from anxiety or depression because of infertility issues, please feel free to reach out to me. I would be happy to discuss treatment options with you.

SOURCES:

• https://womensmentalhealth.org/specialty-clinics/infertility-and-mental-health/
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4009564/
• https://womensmentalhealth.org/posts/impact-infertility-treatment-mood-women-vulnerable/