The Road to Recovery After An Abortion Can Be Long, but There is Hope...
What is Post-Abortion Syndrome?
Post-Abortion Syndrome is a form of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It is a disorder that overwhelms a person’s normal defense mechanisms, resulting in intense fear, feelings of hopelessness/loss of control. It is a result of the fight or flight defense mechanisms in our bodies.
Symptoms will not necessarily appear at the same time, nor is it likely that any woman will experience the entire list. Some symptoms occur immediately after an abortion, others much later.
- Flashbacks or re-experiencing the abortion
- Intrusive memories, cue-related memories
- Nightmares or insomnia
- Anxiety or panic attacks
- Phobias of events and places reminiscent of the trauma
- Memory and situational induced arousal
- Mood changes, irritability
- Stimulus sensitivity to light and sound
- Exaggerated startle response
- Guilt
- Psychological numbing
- Depression or thoughts of suicide
- Anniversary syndrome
- Preoccupation with becoming pregnant again
- Development of eating disorders
- Alcohol and drug abuse
- Other self-punishing or self-degrading behaviors
- Anxiety over fertility and childbearing issues
- Survival guilt
- Interruption of the bonding process with present/ future children
If you are a woman who is post-abortive and have experienced more than two symptoms,
you could be suffering from Post-Abortion Syndrome.
