If you’re facing an unplanned pregnancy and considering abortion, it’s essential to understand how the procedure could affect your mental health.
Read on to learn more about the possible mental health effects of abortion. Or, if you want to talk to someone about your pregnancy options and free support services, contact Elevate Pregnancy and Family Resource Center to schedule a private appointment.
How Could Abortion Affect Me Mentally?
Abortion is a life-changing choice that comes with risks to your mental health.
A report by the American Psychological Association’s (APA) Task Force on Mental Health and Abortion (TFMHA) found that some women experience the following mental health risks after an abortion:
- Sadness
- Grief
- Feelings of loss
- Depression
- Anxiety
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is another mental health risk of abortion. Mayo Clinic defines PTSD as being characterized by “flashbacks, nightmares, and severe anxiety, as well as uncontrollable thoughts about the event.”
According to the TFMHA report, two years after their abortions, 1.5% of the women participating in the study “had all the symptoms for abortion-specific post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).”
Link Between Feeling Pressured Into Abortion and Mental Health Risks
It’s critical that you make your pregnancy decision on your own, without feeling pressured into one decision over the other—your mental health depends on it.
Unfortunately, many women feel pressured into getting an abortion, and their chance of experiencing a mental health risk is more significant.
According to the Journal of American Physicians and Surgeons, almost 75% of women who had an abortion felt at least subtly pressured into getting one. And of these women who felt pressured into abortion, many suffered adverse mental health outcomes afterward, including feelings of:
- Shame
- Guilt
- Regret
- Self-hatred
- Worthlessness
- Being unworthy of love
- Low self-esteem
- Anxiety
You’re Not Alone
The decision about how to move forward with your pregnancy is yours alone to make. But we’re here to support you along the way. At Elevate Pregnancy and Family Resource Center, we offer free pregnancy services, information, and resources to help you have what you need to make an informed decision. Contact us today to schedule a free, private appointment with one of our caring team members.