Men and women with fertility issues are faced with a broad range of emotional concerns due to social, family, and even their own internal pressures to have their own children. This is not a small concern, considering that about 7.3 million Americans or 10 to 15 percent of reproductive-aged people across all cultures and societies are struggling with infertility. Numerous studies show the association between emotional health and infertility. While not every one of them will succumb to depression or anxiety, they are faced with a risk higher than the average American.

The Impact of Infertility on Emotional Health

For both men and women, becoming a parent is a major milestone in their lives. Thus, its non-fulfillment can give them a sense of loss of identity that may spell failure and dissatisfaction. Feeling defective and incompetent, they may perceive themselves as less of a man/woman. As people with infertility issues live with a diminished self-esteem and deep sense of loss, they may resort to social isolation, which may further cause them to feel lonely and more vulnerable to depression and anxiety.

The Link Between Emotional Issues and Infertility

Whether the infertility is directly causing the vulnerability of people with infertility issues to depression or anxiety is still not clear, but the link has been confirmed by several studies. For instance, Parikh (2000), Lukse (1999) and Chen (2004) in their separate studies conclude that the incidence of depression is significantly higher, with an incidence range of 15 to 54 percent in couples with infertility issues compared to fertile individuals (Massachusetts General Hospital). The studies also reveal that the risk for anxiety is higher for the infertile subjects, with an incidence range of 8 to 28 percent.

Infertility Treatment as a Source of Distress

A growing number of studies also show that stress continues to mount even during the treatment period when couples are undergoing medically-assisted solutions to address their infertility issues. According to the separate studies undertaken by Hammarberg (2001) Olivius (2004) and Domar (2004), stress and depressive symptoms are affecting the decisions of these couples. In fact, it is among the reasons why couples drop out of the fertility programs.

Interventions for Your Emotional Well Being

Your state of emotional health can affect the decisions you will make, which in turn may influence the success or failure of your fertility treatment. It may also affect your ability to handle stresses and challenges during treatment. In general, your emotional health is important whether your infertility issue is medically addressed or not.

To survive a fertility treatment with all its rigors and challenges, seek interventions for your emotional health. The first step is to call Carolina Counseling Services – Southern Pines, NC. With the assistance of a counselor independently contracted with Carolina Counseling Services – Southern Pines, NC, you can go through the treatment hopeful, but not desperate.

Related Articles:

• Understanding Anxiety: A Step Toward a Better Life
• You Can Do It: Overcoming Worry and Fear Now!
• Depression: What’s Your “Enemy” Like?
• Seeking Marriage Counseling to Help Your Depression
• Learn the Facts: The First Step in Overcoming Depression
• Escaping Geriatric Depression: The Happy Parent/Grandparent
• Teen Depression | Is It Challenging Your Child