There is Hope. There is Healing.
Post Abortion Stress
You may have had an abortion recently or many years ago. As a woman you might have found yourself with little support, in an unsafe situation or relationship, with many conflicting goals, circumstances or values in the face of an unintended pregnancy.
You are not alone. You may be experiencing reactions you didn’t expect. The words to express what you are feeling may not be coming easily. We are here to help.
Some women will feel relief after an abortion, while other women experience strong negative reactions. These reactions may be immediate or they may occur many years after the abortion. Experiencing post abortion grief can be related to a woman’s age, length of pregnancy, previous mental health, religious or cultural beliefs, or whether she was pressured into an abortion.
When the grief is not acknowledged or expressed, you may find yourself in distress. This is called post abortion stress.
Post Abortion Stress is described as the inability to:
- Process the painful thoughts and emotions about an unintended pregnancy and subsequent abortion.
- Identify or name the loss(es) that have been incurred.
- Come to peace with self and others.
Post Abortion Stress may include:
- Sadness
- Feeling compelled to conceal an abortion
- Experiencing prolonged depression
- Psychological “numbing”
- Experiencing disturbing thoughts about babies and abortion
- Having lingering guilt and shame
- Believing you are unworthy
- Avoiding relationships or struggling with intimacy
- Reacting physically and emotionally when abortion is mentioned
- Anxiety over fertility or childbearing issues
- Alcohol and drug abuse
- Engaging in self-destructive behaviour
- Having thoughts of suicide
Women seek our help, hoping to resolve feelings of guilt, anxiety and depression. When the abortion has been recent, we find there are often relationship struggles for a period of time. Some women also inform us of secondary symptoms such as flashbacks of the abortion procedure, addictions, eating disorders, self harm, anniversary syndrome, unable to feel forgiven by God, preoccupation with becoming pregnant again, and interruption of bonding with future children.
By processing the grief, many of the symptoms related to the stress after an abortion can be reduced. Take your next steps toward healing.
Take Your Next Steps Towards Healing
If you or someone you know may be experiencing Post Abortion Stress, contact us at 604.525.0999 or info@pacscanada.org.
Individual peer counselling, support groups, and abortion recovery weekend retreats are available. Peer counselling services are free and confidential.
The above after abortion care and support is also available for men, as men do suffer after abortion, contact us to find out more.