Post-Abortion Symptoms

The following discussion of emotional complications and risk factors is taken from David C. Reardon, Abortion Malpractice, Life Dynamics Inc., 1993, P.O. Box 185, Lewisville, TX 75067, (214) 436-3885, pp. 5-11, and 20-23.

PAS is a psychological disorder that occurs when abortion is experienced as a traumatic event. A major study showed that between 65% and 95% of post-abortive women experienced many of the negative emotional effects of abortion. (See survey results link below.) Symptoms may include anxiety attacks, outburst of anger or rage, difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep; flashbacks about the abortion, nightmares about the abortion or baby, intense grief or depression; withdrawal from relationships, especially from those involved in the abortion decision (such as the father of the child), difficulty loving or having tender feelings.

These feelings can lead to such serious consequences as sexual dysfunction (loss of pleasure from intercourse, increased pain, an aversion to sex, or development of a promiscuous life-style), suicidal thoughts or attempts, increased smoking, alcohol, or drug abuse, eating disorders, child neglect or abuse, divorce and relationship problems, repeat abortions.

How do you know if you might have some of these emotional complications and serious feelings of regret? You are likely to have them if you:

• make the decision too quickly, without time to explore all options
• focus only on practical reasons (financial problems, single parenthood) for having the abortion (and not consider your feelings and beliefs)
• waiver back and forth and have trouble making a decision because of conflicting feelings
• allow others (like your boyfriend, parents, a friend, or doctor) to make the decision for you.

Do you think any of these apply to you?

Some studies have been done to determine negative emotional effects of having an abortion. Click here to review the Survey of Reactions to Abortion

Why do you think it is important for you to know about these findings before an abortion?

Post-Abortion Syndrome varies from one individual to another in its symptoms, intensity, and the time of onset. It can be seen soon after the abortion but it can be most intense five to ten years after an abortion.

Our agency has a post abortion support goup. To get help, call our Columbus Hotline at 614-444-4411, or our Lancaster Hotline at 740-681-5683. You may also email our H.E.A.R.T. administrator at info@pdhc.org for help or for more information about our H.E.A.R.T. program.

Although abortion is supposed to be a "choice," many women later report feeling "forced" into an abortion because they felt they had no other choice. Women like this are likely to experience some of the emotional complications of abortion. Do you feel pressure on you to make an abortion decision? Where is this pressure coming from? Parents, boyfriend, financial, job, school? If your circumstances were different, what would you like to do?