Abortion may seem simple and convenient at the moment, but the emotional effects can be quite brutal. People may have told you, “Take the pill, and everything will be back to normal” or “It’s a simple and quick process.” While everything may go back to normal temporarily, many women and their partners face many mental blocks and emotional trauma later on. Depression is one of the many emotional effects of abortion. Know that you don’t have to go through it alone.
Signs of Post-Abortion Depression
If you are having a hard time after an abortion, you could be facing depression. If you’re not sure, here are some common signs of depression:
Negative feelings are severe & persistent
A sign of depression is persistent negative feelings that don’t seem to go away. According to the American Pregnancy Association, common negative feelings due to pregnancy loss include:
- anger
- shame
- remorse or regret
- isolation and loneliness
- sleep problems and bad dreams
- relationship problems
- thoughts of suicide
Guilt & Low Self-Esteem
Carrying guilt after abortion is very normal for men and women. It often takes years before people receive the help they need for this heavy burden. Low self-esteem is another telling sign of post-abortion depression, as you may be your own worst enemy, always berating yourself and lacking the ability to forgive yourself. You may feel the need to punish yourself, feeling you deserve it for making the choice you did. This pattern of self-condemnation diminishes your self-worth and confidence.
Other Post Abortion Depression Signs
- Feeling persistently low or sad
- having difficulty thinking, focusing, and making decisions
- feeling irritable
- lacking energy
- sleeping too much or too little
- loss of interest in sex
- inability to experience joy or happiness
These signs of depression can make it very difficult to work or do daily chores or enjoy any part of life. Severe depression can even cause a breakdown in your job and relationships. It’s important to seek out help.
Healing After Abortion
There is hope and help available to you. No matter how far you think you are from joy, love, and peace, know that you can overcome depression and all that comes with your past abortion. Receive guidance from trained mentors to work through post-abortion depression with our team at Project Rachel and Project Joseph.
Contact us today to learn how you can get started on your healing journey. We want to help you restore what was lost so you can find peace again in your life. It is possible. You can do this.
