Although many women have visions to add children to their families, infertility represents a difficult, frustrating, and often isolating struggle. Depression due to infertility can result in serious impairments in mental health functioning, as it can take a significant toll on one’s self-esteem and happiness. Therapy can provide healing and support for individuals on this journey.
1. Your Depression Due To Infertility Is Affecting Your Quality of Life
Maybe you’ve tried to stay positive. Perhaps you keep telling yourself that you’re overreacting or just need to be more patient.
Although infertility depression is not a diagnosable term, many women struggle with acute symptoms that mimic depression when struggling with infertility. Are you finding it hard to concentrate at work or school? Have you struggled to carve time for self-care?
Depression due to infertility can make simple tasks feel impossible. It can make you feel agitated, fatigued, and devastated- all at the same time. Therapy can help you learn how to handle infertility depression while also acknowledging the painful and challenging experience you’re undergoing.
2. You Feel Like Nobody Else Understands
Although friends and family often have loving, kind intentions, they may not quite know how to discuss the nuances of infertility. If you’re struggling with depression due to infertility, your usual support system may actually make you feel worse. That’s because friends and family are often quick to dole out traditional advice (give it time, just relax, it’ll happen when it happens). This advice can range from mildly insulting to downright infuriating.
Therapists provide support without judgment. They don’t dish out cliched advice or tell you what you need to do. Instead, they listen fully and transparently- with compassion, empathy, and encouragement.
3. You Feel Hopeless About The Future
Depression due to infertility can dramatically impact how you perceive both your present and future. If you’ve always envisioned having children, signs of infertility may evoke a heavy sense of disdain. Many women struggle with feeling purposeless or directionless. Some even feel suicidal.
While therapists do not hold the crystal ball revealing your future, they can help you create meaning and purpose in the face of your infertility depression. Finding meaning may entail exploring various passions, practicing mindfulness, strengthening interpersonal relationships, and cultivating a sense of spirituality.
4. You’re Having Problems In Your Relationship
Infertility can be brutal for couples wanting to conceive. Depression due to infertility can affect both men and women, and it can create problems related to:
- Resentment and anger
- Taking out negative feelings on one another
- Sexual performance and intimacy problems
- Feelings of inferiority
While some couples share similar approaches to tackling infertility, others do not see eye-to-eye with their partners. This dynamic can naturally create tension and resentment. That said, therapy can help clients explore some of the problematic conversations associated with either infertility in women or men.
5. You’re Also Struggling With Other Mental Illnesses
20% of Americans are struggling with a mental illness at any given point. Moreover, many people struggle with multiple conditions.
Depression due to infertility can exacerbate other conditions including:
- Mood disorders
- Anxiety disorders
- Eating disorders
- Substance use disorders
When left untreated, these symptoms can become progressive and debilitating. Fortunately, therapy can provide the necessary support and management. While there is no cure for depression due to infertility, therapy allows you to access the proper resources you need to move forward with your healing.
Contact Lumos Counseling PC today for more information about therapy.