Pseudocyesis as a healing mechanism for psychological trauma

Georgia Nektaria Porfyri; Anastasia Konsta; Anthoula Tsolaki; Ioannis Diakogiannis; Ioanna Ierodiakonou-Benou

doi:10.33533/jpm.v14i1.1686

Pseudocyesis as a healing mechanism for psychological trauma

Georgia Nektaria Porfyri, Anastasia Konsta, Anthoula Tsolaki, Ioannis Diakogiannis, Ioanna Ierodiakonou-Benou

Abstract

Pseudocyesis, a rare condition characterized by clinical signs and symptoms of pregnancy except for the actual existence of a fetus, is a somatic symptom disorder associated with a variety of biological, psychological and social factors. The present report aims to present the case of a 45-year old patient with pseudocyesis from a psychodynamic perspective. According to a psychodynamic perspective and based on patient’s history, pseudocyesis functioned as a mental healing mechanismfor the trauma of long-standing infertility, the trauma of eight unsuccessful and painful in vitro fertilization attempts and above all, the trauma of finally giving birth to a non-healthy child.

Keywords

Pseudocyesis ; Infertility ; In Vitro Fertilization

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DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.33533/jpm.v14i1.1686