Experiencing an abortion can cause a lot of conflicting emotions. Ending that pregnancy may have felt right at the time, but now the sadness won’t seem to go away. No matter what feelings you are experiencing, it is okay.
Whether you are considering an abortion or are looking for answers about the emotions rising within you after an abortion, we are here for you.
Is it common to have mental health effects after abortion?
A Cambridge study found women who have an abortion are 81% more likely to experience mental health problems. Other studies have suggested that there may not be a link between mental health issues and abortion.
Either way, any major life change, including having an abortion, can elevate stress and negatively impact mental health. This is especially true for women who have a history of adverse childhood trauma or mental health problems.
The reason behind an abortion decision can also play a role in whether mental health problems arise. For example, if a woman has an abortion to hide the pregnancy, she may develop anxiety and attempt to carry that secret with her for years. If a woman has an abortion because of pressure from her partner or family, anger and resentment might build up. Fear and insecurity might creep in at the thought of the people she loves leaving her if she doesn’t “make the right choice”. A woman who already has children might feel relief believing she is doing the right thing by sacrificing for the children she already has, but as time passes, guilt may begin to cloud her mind.
Relationship problems, religious beliefs, and social stigma can also make it harder to cope, especially if she feels like she has no one to talk to about what she’s been through.
Common signs the abortion might be affecting you.
Every woman experiences and copes with abortion differently. Some feel relief, while others feel immense sadness. Sometimes this sadness and grief can begin to show up years down the road. It can even be hard to recognize these mental side effects and their association with abortion.
Common mental side effects include:
- Relationship problems
- Substance abuse
- Depression and anxiety
- Thoughts of suicide or self-harm
- Complicated grief
- PTSD symptoms
- Anger
- Shame and guilt
- Sleep problems and bad dreams
- Avoiding and distracting yourself
- Feelings of hopelessness or emptiness
- Negative feelings about yourself and others
Mental health problems more than double for women who have lost a pregnancy through miscarriage or abortion a year ago or more.
If any of these side effects are present, don’t hesitate to reach out for help today.
There is healing and support for you.
You are not alone in what you have been feeling, and you don’t have to be alone as you try to navigate recovery.
At LifeSpring, we offer free support after abortion. Our sessions are with counselors who understand after-abortion care, so you can find hope, healing, and a community that cares for you.
We are a safe, understanding, and confidential place for you to process and heal.