The Psychological Impact of Infertility Treatment and the Mind-Body Connection

The experience of infertility can often result in anxiety, depression, guilt, and stress. The medical treatments can be physically, emotionally, and socially taxing on your clients. Clinical research has shown that both mind/body programs and couples groups improve a person s ability to cope with their experiences and reduce negative symptoms throughout their treatment. Learn some of these strategies you can use with your clients - - as well as other resources available.


This podcast, recorded in June 2008, can be purchased for $10 (includes 1-hour .mp3 file and 22-page handouts).


Key excerpts:

• Infertility affects 7 million people (1 in 8 couples). About 25% has to do with the female; 25% with the male; 35% both, and 10% "we don't know."
• The average cost of IVF is $12,000.
• The psychological impact of infertility: Many women will experience anxiety and depression levels similar to those experiencing a life-threatening illness, with anxiety increasing throughout the course of the infertility treatment.
• Men typically suffer from grief, identity challenges, and interpersonal struggles as a result of infertility treatment.
• "Psychological distress" is one of the main reasons cited for discontinuing medical treatment of infertility.
• Infertility treatment -- or pregnancy -- may significantly worsen an active psychiatric illness.
• Avoid terms that evoke shame and a sense of failure -- i.e., "We are infertile" or "failed cycle" or "unsuccessful fertility treatment."
• "Unlike most couples, who are never confronted with infertility, those who encounter infertility are likely to think carefully and deliberately about why they want to be parents, and what children mean to them."
• FertileHope is an organization that advocates for cancer patients whose medical treatments present the risk of infertility.

Julie Luzarraga, LCSW, DCSW, has been practicing in the mental health field for over 10 years. She is the founder of The Center for Counseling and Psychotherapy and Emerging Mindfulness. Her primary focuses are supporting people through infertility and working with families participating in Collaborative Divorce.

Julie can be reached at (402) 502-1024 x 290
http://www.midtownmind.com (Omaha, Nebraska)