There are many types of infertility treatments, all of which involve hormones, uncertainty, and changes to your body and mind. It is very common to feel anxious, angry, resentful, disappointed, desperate, jealous, and depressed during the process. Many couples struggle with anxiety, depression, and hopelessness related to getting pregnant.
Struggling with anxiety, depression, hopelessness related to getting pregnant
Having been through one or multiple infertility treatments
Infertility treatments taking a toll on your mental and physical health
How We Can Help:
Cognitive Behavioral Informed Support For Infertility
You don’t need to suffer alone; we can help. At Willow Anxiety And OCD we have personal experience with the toll that infertility can take on your physical and mental health. We understand the trying nature of infertility treatments and the impact it can have on your relationships, especially with your partner. If you’re taking on this process on your own, it can be even more challenging.
We will use elements of Cognitive Behavior Therapy to help you develop more positive thoughts and behaviors as you go through infertility treatment. We will address your thoughts and feelings; setting realistic expectations and providing you with effective coping skills. You’ll learn to make the necessary behavioral changes to face upcoming cycles and an uncertain future. Our goal is to help you take better care of yourself, and to equip you with the strength to get through these challenging times.
Women's Health
The process of having a child can be a joyous one, but can also be fraught with challenges including infertility or post-partum anxiety and depression. The anxiety specialists at Willow Anxiety And OCD have expertise and sensitivity toward the issues that can arise, and offer effective treatment to help women navigate these difficult situations.
Infertility Related Anxiety and Depression
Cognitive Tools
Coping more effectively with the uncertainty and emotional pain of infertility
Behavioral Tools
Changing behaviors to help with facing the trials and tribulations of infertility treatments and decisions
Self Compassion
Focusing on self compassion to regain y
Post Partum Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Post-partum OCD can be a scary experience for a new mother. Obsessive thoughts and fears about your baby, along with compulsions to check or avoid certain things can be indicative of obsessive-compulsive disorder. You’re not a terrible mom, and you don’t have to live in guilt, shame, and isolation. Whether it’s your first episode of OCD or a relapse, we can help you manage your anxiety. Common symptoms include:
Fears that you will harm your baby accidentally or intentionally by dropping or choking them
Recurrent thoughts about sexual abuse of your baby
Compulsively checking about sharp objects, light switches, stoves, medication doses and so on
Avoiding sharp objects
Staying away from your baby out of fear for what you might do
A relapse of previous OCD symptoms
How We Can Help:
Exposure And Response Prevention for Post Partum OCD
Our OCD specialists have data driven therapies that are effective in combatting OCD. We use Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) to gradually and sensitively expose you to thoughts, images, and situations that are causing the anxiety. Additionally, you will learn to refrain from doing the mental or physical rituals that maintain the OCD. Over time, you will be able to cope with the anxiety more effectively. We also help you learn to accept your OCD diagnosis, and use elements of CBT to teach you to live with uncertainty in a more effective way.
For more details about OCD, please visit our OCD page.
Acceptance
Learning to accept that you have post partum OCD and the specific obsessions
Exposure and Response Prevention
Interoceptive exposures (bringing on symptoms similar to those of a panic attack in session) and teaching you ways to cope with it. We will then face the places and tasks you’ve been avoiding
Uncertainty Tolerance
Learning to live with uncertainty
Post Partum Anxiety
Many of the symptoms of post partum anxiety may be confused with symptoms one has after a major life change like having a baby. There are a myriad of hormonal changes, lifestyle changes, sleep deprivation and so on. It’s important to get a handle on the anxiety as soon as possible. Women who suffer from postpartum anxiety often experience:
Difficulty calming down
Racing thoughts
Constant worry
Increased irritability and difficulty concentrating
Forgetfulness that is out of the ordinary
How We Can Help:
Cognitive Behavioral Informed Treatment For Post Partum Anxiety
During therapy for post-partum anxiety, we utilize elements of Cognitive Behavior Therapy to help you get a better handle on your thinking and beliefs. We’ll teach you how to make behavioral changes so you can adapt to the ever-changing environment with a new baby. Self compassion and mindfulness are important components of handling the stress and anxiety better. We will help you differentiate between a typical anxiety response and one that we see in post partum stages. You’ll learn skills that will help you cope with anxiety now and throughout your lifetime.
Cognitive Tools
Learning to get a better handle on your thinking and your beliefs about the baby and your ability to handle the anxiety
Behavioral Tools
Learning to make behavioral changes to adapt to the ever changing environment with a new baby and learning to incorporate self care
Self Compassion and Mindfulness
Learning self compassion and mindfulness skills
Post Partum Depression
Having a new baby is supposed to be a joyous time, but a number of women suffer significant depression after childbirth. This can be complicated by hormonal and lifestyle changes, as well as disruptions in sleep patterns. When depression exceeds the expected “baby blues”, and is persistent and problematic, it is time to get treatment. The sooner you get help the better your recovery. The following symptoms can be indicators of post-partum depression:
Increased anger and rage
Trouble bonding with your baby
Changes in appetite, sleep, and level on interest in usual activities
A sense of ‘numbness’, or excessive guilt about how you feel towards your baby
How We Can Help:
Cognitive Behavioral Treatment Post Partum Depression
We use an integrative approach to address post-partum depression. CBT skills help with addressing and challenging negative thinking about yourself, the baby, your future, and the world. We will work on changing behaviors to better adapt to the ever changing situations with a new baby. Self compassion and mindfulness tools will help with getting grounded and to create more positive emotions.
Cognitive Tools
Challenging your beliefs about yourself, your future, the future, and thoughts related to the baby and your ability to function
Behavioral Tools
Changing unhelpful behaviors to cope better with the situation and incorporate self care
Self Compassion And Mindfulness
Learning to practice self compassion and mindfulness exercises
Resources
CDC Infertility
http://www.cdc.gov/reproductivehealth/infertility/
Infertility And CBT
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3914487/