Tips for Women on Overcoming the Stress from Infertility

Do you feel you are experiencing stress due to being infertile? Are you unsure on what you can due to cope with the stress of being infertile? To help understand what type of impact stress from being infertile can have on a woman's overall life and for tips on reducing stress due to infertility, I have interviewed psychologist Anne Crowley, PhD.

Tell me a little bit about yourself.
"I am a licensed psychologist in the state of Texas . I earned my Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from Texas A&M University. My specialties include relationships and couples counseling. In addition to training and clinical experience, I have also conducted extensive research on marital satisfaction, communication patterns and interpersonal dynamics. I have a private practice in Austin, Texas and am also an adjunct faculty member in the master's of counseling program at Texas State University."

What type of impact can the stress from being infertile have on a woman's overall life?
Infertility often becomes your own personal nightmare. Women faced with infertility tend to be emotionally overwhelmed (you never get a "break" from being infertile), experiencing a rainbow of emotions including sadness, frustration, shame, anxiety and fear ("what if we can't ever get pregnant?"). As a result of the emotional struggle with infertility, women also commonly experience low self-esteem, often wondering, "What is WRONG with me?!"

Family and social relationships can also be impacted. At first you might share your situation with friends and family, but later you might worry they are 'tired' of hearing you 'complain' or perhaps you might fear you are 'burdening' them with your 'problem.' Additionally, friends and family might offer advice. While intentions are good, it just does not help. You feel they just do not get it and think no one can understand what you are going through (this belief can increase feelings of isolation).

Not surprisingly, at the same time you are dealing with trying to get pregnant, everyone around you seems pregnant and your friends start to call you to tell you they are pregnant (after only a few months of 'trying'). You might have mixed feelings of happiness and sadness, perhaps you feel some jealousy or anger and question, 'Why me?!' As a result, individuals (typically women) avoid their (pregnant) friends and family and/or withdraw socially.

Finally, difficulty conceiving can increase tension in a relationship, contribute to feelings of inadequacy or partner resentment."

What are some tips for women on overcoming the stress from infertility?
"An infertility specialist once said, 'Stress does not cause infertility, infertility causes stress.' Understandably, it can be difficult to 'overcome' the stress from infertility, but there are ways to manage the negative thoughts and emotions and cope with this difficult situation. One way is journaling thoughts and feelings. Another is to practice relaxation through deep breathing, meditation or yoga. Proper education by a fertility specialist (vs. online resources) can also help mitigate stress as well as seeking therapy as a resource for support."

What type of professional help is available for a woman that is having a difficult time overcoming the stress from infertility?
"Psychotherapy can be a beneficial resource for individuals or couples struggling to manage the stress related to the difficulty of conceiving. I recommend finding a therapist who is knowledgeable about infertility and its stressors. As previously mentioned, stress from infertility may not be 'overcome,' but a professional can help you learn to manage the emotional overwhelm by offering cognitive restructuring tools, teaching relaxation techniques and providing an environment to vent negativity and receive validation. Therapy can also assist in partner communication and help increase partner understanding and compassion.

Group therapy with other individuals and/or couples may also be a helpful resource. Sharing in an environment with people who are also in a similar situation can be very nurturing. To feel understood is very healing."

Thanks Dr. Crowley for doing the interview on overcoming stress from infertility. For more information on Dr. Crowley or her work you can check out her website at www.AnneCrowleyPhD.com

Recommended Readings:
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/297953/what_to_do_if_you_are_a_women_who_is.html?cat=52">What Ro Do if You Are a Woman Who is Infertile

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/5639358/infertility_causes_and_treatments.html?cat=5">Infertility: Causes & Treatment

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/126046/how_to_reduce_your_stress_simply_.html?cat=72">How to Reduce Stress Simply