Infertility Support: When To Seek Professional Help

We are always looking for organizations in our community be it locally, regionally, nationally or virtually to support by passing on their information for others to find. RESOLVE, offering infertility support, is one such organization. RESOLVE is an online community for women and men facing infertility offering support and information during their family building journey. They advocate for becoming educated about infertility by providing articles, tips and information. Part of becoming educated can be knowing when you need to seek out professional help.
They offer the following information to know when to seek professional help

Infertility is a complicated medical problem that can trigger many different emotions. The experience can cause sudden acute psychological pain and grief following, for example, an unexpected diagnosis or difficult treatment decision. Infertility can also be an open-ended situation where there are no clear endings and mourning and grief is prolonged because a glimmer of hope may linger.

Unfortunately, the infertility experience can trigger unresolved emotional issues from the past and may also launch a major assault on one's self esteem and personal identity. Infertility can feel like a death, like a prolonged mourning process as dreams die and hopes are dashed. It can also be a time filled with feelings of jealousy, rage, envy, and longing. Individuals and couples may isolate themselves or feel isolated from family and friends. Many people get worn down physically and emotionally by the experience and not surprisingly, marital, family, and social relationships can suffer as well.

It may be hard to know when emotional responses to the pain and frustration of infertility are within normal, expected range or are excessive and problematic.

If you are experiencing any of the following feelings, you may want to see an infertility counselor or therapist:

-You have felt sad, depressed, or hopeless for longer than two weeks.
-You have noticed changes in your appetite, either eating more or less than usual.
-You are having trouble sleeping or are sleeping more than usual. You awaken not feeling rested.
-You feel anxious, agitated, and worried much of the time.
-You have panic attacks--particularly related to infertility situations or issues.
-You feel lethargic or have lost interest in usually enjoyable activities.
-You have trouble concentrating, are easily distracted, and/or have difficulty making decisions.
-You have persistent feelings of worthlessness or guilt.
-You feel easily irritated, angry, and frustrated.
-You have thoughts of death or dying.
-You have lost interest in sex and/or fail to have orgasms.
-Relationships with friends and family are no longer rewarding and enjoyable and you prefer being alone.
-For in-depth information on When to Seek Professional Help consult RESOLVE's Fact Sheet #18

By Linda Hammer Burns. PhD

IF YOU FEEL YOU ARE IN NEED OF PROFESSIONAL HELP, THE HEALING GROUP THERAPISTS OFFER INDIVIDUAL, COUPLE AND FAMILY COUNSELING AS WELL AS AN INFERTILITY GROUP TO CONNECT WITH OTHERS GOING THROUGH A SIMILAR EXPERIENCE.

TO JOIN OUR INFERTILITY GROUP, CONTACT MONICA AT 801-461-9060 X4 OR EMAIL MONICA@THEHEALINGGROUP.COM
TO MAKE AND APPOINTMENT OR TALK TO ONE OF OUR THERAPISTS CALL 801-461-9060 OR EMAIL US AT INFO@THEHEALINGGROUP.COM