Common Symptoms and the Need for Recovery

Whether it was 4 months or 40 years ago – if you’ve had an abortion, you probably know that you feel different. You sense that you’re struggling. You feel like you’ve lost parts of who you used to be.

It might be difficult, however, to discern exactly what is happening to you or pinpoint what these feelings are or what they mean.

It is so important in your journey toward healing that you fully understand Post-Abortion Stress Syndrome and everything that it can mean for you and your life.

Any event that causes trauma can lead to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder; abortion is not an exception. Post-Abortion Stress Syndrome simply refers to negative psychological affects after an abortion.

What does this look like?

These are some of the most common symptoms.

1. Guilt

The feeling that you made a mistake, and you don’t know how to fix it, so you’re going to beat yourself up for the rest of your life trying to pay for the mistake.

2. Shame

The feeling that you are a mistake and your whole life is a mistake, so you’re going to go into this “closet” and not let anyone see who you really are.

3. Depression

Feeling the need to withdraw from people or activities that used to bring you happiness. You may or may not be on anti-depressants.

4. Anxiety

Constantly living in a state of worry, fear, or panic – even if nothing bad is currently happening. You might always feel like the other shoe is going to drop at any moment. You might develop new phobias that you did not experience before your abortion.

5. Suicidal Thoughts/Ideation

Attempted suicide in the past or thinking often about ending your life. You may not have a plan, but the thought it never far from your mind.

6. Re-experiencing

Nightmares about your abortion, playing out everything that happened at the abortion clinic in your mind, or experiencing flashes of what you saw in the bathroom during a medication abortion.  

7. Alcohol or Substance Abuse

The use of alcohol or other substances, like drugs, to numb your conscience and try to erase painful memories.

8. Anniversary Syndrome

When the emotional and psychological symptoms that you experience become stronger on the anniversary of your abortion or your due date.

You might have heard that Post-Abortion Stress is not recognized by some as something real. This might make you feel unseen, alone, or invalidated. What you need to know is that Post-Abortion Stress Syndrome is recognized by so many post-abortive women.

We see you. We are you.

Reach out, today.

Contact Us Today

The road to recovery is hard to navigate alone. Contact us to get the support you need.

Contact Us