For some women, abortion can be a shocking and painful experience. They may find it hard to talk about their feelings due to fear of being misunderstood or judged at their most vulnerable.
If you’re facing difficult emotions after an abortion, know that you’re not alone. Pregnancy Hope Center provides after-abortion support, so you can find hope and healing. In today’s blog, we’ll discuss how abortion affects mental health and the importance of after-abortion support. Keep reading to learn more.
How Does Abortion Affect Mental Health?
Everyone experiences abortion differently. The abortion procedures can be traumatic, thus putting women at a higher risk of mental health problems.[1] Sometimes, abortion exacerbates mental health problems you may already be experiencing. Other times, an abortion could cause new mental health problems.[2] These mental health problems could include:[3][4]
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Low Self-Esteem
- Substance Abuse
- Suicidal Behaviors
If you’re having thoughts of suicide, call the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 immediately.
How Does Abortion Affect Relationships?
Abortion can sometimes affect intimate relationships in dating, marriage, friendships, family, and children.[5] One study shows that abortion can lead to an increased risk of depression and anxiety in future pregnancies.[6] Women who feel pressured into having an abortion report more stress, grief, and anxiety for years after their abortion.[7]
Why Join a Support Group After an Abortion?
Sometimes, it helps to talk to people who truly understand what you’ve gone through. A support group is a great place to start.
Joining a support group after an abortion allows you to unpack all of the difficult emotions you’ve been carrying and find healing from your abortion experience in a loving, compassionate environment. Participants in our programs have shared how beneficial it is to attend small groups and treasure their time with others who have walked the same path as them.
After-Abortion Support Groups in Klamath Falls, OR
At Pregnancy Hope Center, we understand the toll abortion can take on your life. That’s why we offer an after-abortion support program called Set Free Abortion Recovery & Care. The program offers a safe space to talk about your experiences without judgment and shame—because no one should have to walk this road alone.
You deserve to find peace and healing. Contact us to learn more about our after-abortion support groups.
For 24/7 help and support, please visit h3lpline.org.
Please be aware that Pregnancy Hope Center does not provide or refer for abortion services.
Sources
- Fergusson DM, Horwood LJ, Boden JM. Abortion and mental health disorders: evidence from a 30-year longitudinal study. British Journal of Psychiatry. 2008;193(6):444-451. https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/the-british-journal-of-psychiatry/article/abortion-and-mental-health-disorders-evidence-from-a-30year-longitudinal-study/59A90CBF3A58C58B342CBCFFBBFEBD2E
- Mota, N. P., Burnett, M., & Sareen, J. (2010, April). Associations Between Abortion, Mental Disorders, and Suicidal Behaviour in a Nationally Representative Sample. American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists. https://www.aaplog.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Mota-et-al.pdf
- Fergusson, D. M., Horwood, L. J., & Ridder, E. M. (2005, September 22). Abortion in young women and subsequent mental health. Association for Child and Adolescent Mental Health. https://acamh.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/j.1469-7610.2005.01538.x
- Coleman PK. Abortion and mental health: quantitative synthesis and analysis of research published 1995–2009. British Journal of Psychiatry. 2011;199(3):180-186. doi:10.1192/bjp.bp.110.077230
- Coleman, P. K., Rue, V. M., & Spence, M. (2006, December 31). Intrapersonal Processes and Post-Abortion Relationship Challenges: A Review and Consolidation of Relevant Literature. The Internet Journal of Mental Health. https://ispub.com/IJMH/4/2/3804
- Huang, Z., Hao, J., Su, P., Huang, K., Xing, X., Cheng, D., Xiao, L., Xu, Y., Zhu, X., & Tao, F. T. (2012). The impact of prior abortion on anxiety and depression symptoms during a subsequent pregnancy: data from a population-based cohort study in China. Psychiatry and Clinical Psychopharmacology. https://psychiatry-psychopharmacology.com/en/the-impact-of-prior-abortion-on-anxiety-and-depression-symptoms-during-a-subsequent-pregnancy-data-from-a-population-based-cohort-study-in-china-131424
- Reardon DC, Longbons T. Effects of Pressure to Abort on Women’s Emotional Responses and Mental Health. Cureus. Published online January 31, 2023. doi:10.7759/cureus.34456