Review article
PSEUDOCYESIS AND COUVADE SYNDROME
Elvira KOIĆ
Lana MUŽINIĆ
Veljko ĐORĐEVIĆ
Snježana VONDRAČEK
Sven MOLNAR
Abstract
Pseudopregnancy is a condition in which there is a firm
belief of a non-pregnant woman in her pregnancy.
The disorder also occurs in men. Patients manifest the
symptoms and signs of pregnancy. According to DSM IV
it is a conversion disorder, under the category of
"Somatoform disorders". Pseudopregnancy occurs in
patients with determined organic cerebral or endocrinologic
pathology, in patients with chronic mental disorders,
but also in those who were previously diagnosed with
neither organic nor psychic disorders. There is always
a wish for pregnancy and a fear from pregnancy at the
same time. In any case, the psychological changes are
caused by the imbalance of the pituitary-ovarian
function of neurotransmitters in the pituitary gland
and/or hypothalamus. A combination of psychotherapy,
pharmacotherapy with antidepressants or antipsychotics,
hormonal therapy and uterine curettage, is effective in
almost every patient. Treatment should always be done
within a team of other specialists (for instance,
gynecologist). The authors emphasize the importance
of systematic family psychotherapeutic approach
in the treatment of psychotic patients.
Keywords
Hrčak ID:
19614
URI
Publication date:
31.12.2002.
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