Although most psychology articles focus on better-known mental disorders, such as depression and anxiety, there are other types of psychological problems that can be equal to or even more disabling. One of the most curious is Couvade syndrome, also known as male. empathetic pregnancy.
This syndrome occurs when a couple is going to have a baby for the first time, in some cases (between 10% and 65%, according to the study from which the data are extracted), the father suffers in his body several symptoms typical of pregnancy. In fact, the name of the disorder comes from the French word “Couver”, which means “incubating”.
- In this article.
- We will look at the most common symptoms of this disorder.
- In addition to its possible causes.
Couvade syndrome is a type of psychological disorder that causes pregnancy-like symptoms in some men when their partner is pregnant; although the exact cause of the syndrome is unknown, it is believed to be related to an excess of empathy for a woman’s pregnancy and the organic changes that this excess can generate.
This disorder, although almost certainly mentally degenerative, significantly alters the hormones of men with it, so testosterone levels in affected people have recently been found to decrease in most cases, while increasing prolactin (one of the main pregnancy-related hormones). ).
Experts differentiate Couvade syndrome from other mental disorders, such as psychological disorders. The latter occurs mainly in women; however, both are classified as psychosomatic disorders, i. e. problems in which the mind causes real changes in the body.
Symptoms of this disorder usually appear around three months gestation and usually go away with the baby’s birth, so because the disorder does not present an increased danger to male health, Couvade syndrome is not considered a serious problem.
However, most of the symptoms caused by the disorder can be very bothersome and some of the most common are:
As can be seen, even if symptoms do not pose a real risk to the health of people with this syndrome, they can cause great discomfort, but what is the cause of this disorder?
Researchers have not yet reached agreement on the causes of this particular disorder, in recent years several explanations have been proposed on the reason for its onset, below we will discuss the most important ones.
Some experts believe that hormonal changes during pregnancy in a woman’s body can in turn affect a man’s hormones, reducing their testosterone and thus increasing prolactin.
Some studies suggest that men who tend to exaggerate with their partner may be more likely to suffer symptoms of the syndrome, so a willingness to share the burden with the mother and a desire to actively participate in pregnancy could be the causes of the problem. .
Pregnancy is always a major change in the couple’s life, so it can become a stressful situation and generate anxiety in parents, and excess anxiety is related to decreased testosterone, which could be one of the causes of symptoms caused by the disorder.
Finally, some psychologists suggest that unconsciously, men with Couvade syndrome are jealous, either their mother?For feeling the development of a new life in one’s own body?Or the baby? Who can represent the departure from the role of the father’s protagonist in the life of the mother, it is believed that these jealousy are one of the causes of the syndrome, as an unconscious way of attracting attention.
Although it can be uncomfortable, Couvade syndrome poses no danger to men. If you or your partner is experiencing an episode of this disorder, be sure to contact a mental health professional so they can help you cope with this stage with less difficulty.