Jurnal Profesi Medika (May 2020)

Pseudocyesis as a healing mechanism for psychological trauma

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

DOI
https://doi.org/10.33533/jpm.v14i1.1686
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 14, no. 1

Abstract

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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.

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