Do you have an abortion in your past and deal with stress and anxiety as a result? Are you considering abortion and wondering about the potential mental health risks you may face?
Regardless of your story, you’re in the right place! In this blog, we will be discussing post-abortion stress and anxiety, including how common it is and how to heal moving forward.
Post Abortion Stress and Anxiety
Every woman is different — While some women seem to move on from their abortions, others carry feelings of regret, anxiety, and grief with them for years to come. If that’s you, it’s important to know that you’re not alone.
In fact, studies have shown that abortion can lead to an 81% increased risk of future mental health issues. These issues may include anxiety, depressive thoughts, suicidal thoughts and actions, and addictions.1,2
Post-abortion stress and anxiety can have a major impact on your lifestyle and wellbeing, even impacting the relationships most dear to you.
Studies have revealed that post-abortive women reported an inability to connect with their children following abortion procedures. Additionally, couples often fail to stay together after abortions, with breakups and divorce incidents increased exponentially following the abortion process.3
Help is Available
If you have had an abortion in the past and have experienced any of the above, there is help available to you!
Project Rachel is a network dedicated to helping women and men heal from the stress, anxiety, and depression that often follows abortion. Our mission is to provide a safe space for you to process your feelings, provide helpful coping mechanisms and ultimately to give you a roadmap towards healing. Don’t settle for a life of regret and pain. Healing is possible and you are worth it!
- Reardon DC. The abortion and mental health controversy: A comprehensive literature review of common ground agreements, disagreements, actionable recommendations, and research opportunities. SAGE open medicine. 2018;6: 1–38. 10.1177/2050312118807624 . [PMC free article] [PubMed] [CrossRef] [Google Scholar]
- Coleman, PK, “Abortion and Mental Health: Quantitative Synthesis and Analysis of Research Published 1995-2009,” BJP 2011; 199:180-186).
- Women’s Health After Abortion: The Medical and Psychological Evidence Paperback – April 1, 2002. Elizabeth Ring-Cassidy (Author), Ian Gentles (Author)