Abstract

REGUEIRO AVILA, Ana Mª  and  VALERO AGUAYO, Luís. Infertility female intervention. Escritos de Psicología [online]. 2011, vol.4, n.3, pp.27-35. ISSN 1989-3809.

This article describes the clinical case of a 30-year-old woman suffering with anxiety and depression problems provoked by an infertility problem and several unsuccessful attempts of assisted reproduction therapy. The study followed a single-case design with pre/post/follow-up assessment. After a functional analysis a cognitive-behavioral treatment program was designed with multicomponent variables. It was applied for 15 sessions and included: literature on infertility, relaxation training, gratifying tasks, managing feelings, training in problem solving and making decisions, visualization exercises and cognitive restructuring. The results showed progressive improvement in her mood and a gradual decrease in the levels of anxiety over the treatment period, with she fulfilled criteria for normality at the end-of-treatment. In the last session, the patient decided to have one final attempt at pregnancy through oocyte donation, before considering the possibility of adoption. A follow-up clinical session was established 1-month later showing that the anxiety and depression levels had decreased and that the patient was pregnant. She experienced a totally normal pregnancy and delivered 2 completely healthy girls. Follow-up phone calls were made at 3, 6 and 13 months confirmed that the benefits had been retained.

Keywords : Female Infertility; Psychological Treatment; Cognitive-behavioral; Anxiety; Depression.

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