Prevalence of Anxiety and Depression in Patients Being Treated and Investigated for Infertility
1Dr. Hasan Ali Malik, 2Dr. Muhammad Tariq, 3Dr. Fatima Zulfiqar, 4Dr. Isbah Gul, 5Dr. Zashir Butt, 6Dr. Abu Bakar Khan
1Registrar psychiatry, CMH Jhelum
2Consultant Psychiatrist, KRL hospital Islamabad
3Regustrar psychiatry, CMH Lahore
4Classified Psychiatrist, CMH Jhelum
5MO Dr. Zulfiqar’s Neuropsychiatry Hospital, Kharian
6Registrar Paediatrics, CMH Lahore
Abstract
Background: Infertility is one of the difficult health conditions and this affects millions of people across the world, it has profound psychological aspects. The identification of the levels of anxiety and depression in patients receiving infertility treatment is very important to know, in order to develop adequate approaches to improve the situation.
Aim: The purpose of this research is to establish the incidence levels of anxiety and depression among the patients in the course of infertility treatment, as well as to identify the relation between the main demographic parameters and the connections with the treatment coursework with consequent clinical recommendations.
Methods: The study methodology used was cross-sectional, and patients from 18 to 45 years with different diagnoses of infertility and treatment ranged. Questionnaires developed by other researchers were used to collect data with a combination of interviews and clinical assessment. To maintain anonymity of the participants, and voluntary participation informed consent was sought, and ethical approval was sought.
Results: The participants’ characteristics showed that the participants are a diverse group of individuals with high levels of psychological distress wherein about 40% of the sample had clinically significant levels of anxiety and 30% meet the criteria for depression. Speaking about the correlations, the authors found that patients receiving more progressive treatments, including IVF, experience higher levels of distress The different psychological reactions were discussed in the context of gender also.
Conclusion: The findings of this work emphasize the prevalence of anxiety and depression to patients going through infertility treatment; call for attention to the use of holistic mental health services in existing clinical packages. With regard to psychological services as the component of a unified treatment plan, healthcare practitioners can increase the overall well-being and compliance with prescribed treatment regimens as well as improve fertility clinics’ results and quality of care.
Keywords: Infertility, Anxiety, Depression, Psychological Health, Treatment Outcomes