Case study analysis of pseudocyesis: consideration of the diagnosis of child sexual abuse.

Pseudocyesis is a condition in which an individual has the symptoms of true pregnancy and believes that he or she is pregnant, but pregnancy does not exist. Pseudocyesis is not confined to one nationality, race, social class or sex, and clinicians may encounter this condition in practice. Physiologic, psychodynamic and social components of pseudocyesis are described. A case study is presented that illustrates the correlation between pseudocyesis and childhood sexual abuse. The importance of accurate assessment of childhood sexual abuse in successful resolution of the condition is emphasized.