Why Do I Feel This Way?*

We’d like to be able to tell you that after an abortion everything will be fine. But hundreds of studies show that the opposite is true.

While there may be an initial sense of relief, many women experience shame or guilt for having had an abortion. Some feel anger and grief. Some suffer depression. Some have eating disorders—eating too much or eating too little. Here are some other problems that women who had abortions undergo:
• bitterness
• regret
• worthlessness
• loneliness
• hopelessness
• self-condemnation
• inability to forgive self
• flashbacks
• unreasonable fears of harm to self and loved ones

Some women go through all of these things.

Many of these feelings get worse at certain times:
• when you hear so-called “pro-life” information
• when you hear “pro-choice” information
• when others discuss abortion
• when you hear about fetal development
• when you see little children
• unable to tell others about the abortion
• unable to be truly intimate with a spouse or friend
While it may take months or years for these conditions to show up, when they do, it can be very painful and it can effect you by taking away the joy of living or cause you to enter into self-destructive behaviors.

Many people are told that abortion is not a big deal and that it does not cause any problems. So, when you experience all of these bad emotions and feelings, you may not know why and you may think that you are really crazy or that there is something really wrong with you. There isn’t. You are suffering from what some psychologists call Post Abortion Stress Syndrome, also known as PASS or PAS.

It’s a serious matter. Studies show that women who have abortions are:
• eight times more likely to undergo psychiatric counseling
• more likely to consider suicide
• more likely to be substance abusers

There is treatment available and you will find links on this page to help you. If you had an abortion and you are undergoing psychiatric or psychological counseling for any reason, you should consider telling your counselor as it may affect your diagnosis and treatment.

*Please note, this is not meant to substitute for advice from a mental health professional. We are not counselors at Groundpickle. If you need more information, please contact a mental health professional or contact a local crisis pregnancy center to speak with a trained individual who can help you work through these issues. Please, get help if you need it.

Truth Helps, Inc. 2003
disclaimer | privacy policy | about us | contact us