LCDR(sel) Buchholz, MC, USN, is a senior psychiatry resident, Naval Medical Center, Portsmouth, Virginia and Teaching Fellow of Psychiatry at the Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland. LT Bell, MC, USN, is a flight surgery student at the Naval Aerospace Medicine Institute, Pensacola, Florida. LT Schabacker, MC, USN, is a transitional year intern, Naval Medical Center, Portsmouth, Virginia. LT Arnold, MC, USN, is a staff psychiatrist at Naval Hospital Camp Lejeune, Jacksonville, North Carolina. CDR Van Slyke, MC, USN, is a staff psychiatrist and Adult Mental Health Department head, Naval Medical Center, Portsmouth, Virginia. Dr. Tavakoli is a staff psychiatrist, Naval Medical Center, Portsmouth, Virginia.
Disclosures
The authors report no financial relationships with any company whose products are mentioned in this article or with manufacturers of competing products. The views expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Department of the Navy, Department of Defense, or the United States Government. Some authors are military service members. Others are employees of the U.S. Government. This work was prepared as part of their official duties. Title 17 U.S.C. 105 provides that “Copyright protection under this title is not available for any work of the United States Government.” Title 17 U.S.C. 101 defines a United States Government work as a work prepared by a military service member or employee of the United States Government as part of that person’s official duties. Reprints are not available from the authors.
Mrs. X, age 43, reports that she has been pregnant for 11 months. Pregnancy tests and transvaginal ultrasonography are negative. She has no psychiatric history. How would you approach her care?
Bottom Line
Pseudocyesis is a complex psychosomatic condition with no clear etiology. An understanding of the presentation and treatment of pseudocyesis has become increasingly necessary, particularly in large tertiary centers and facilities, where many patients from immigrant populations are seen. With increasing globalization, the number of women with pseudocyesis seen in the United States also will continue to grow.
Related Resource
Pierce A, Turner A, Gilbo N, et al. No evidence of pregnancy, but she is suicidal and depressed after ‘my baby died.’ Current Psychiatry. 2016;15(7):67-68,70-73.
