When it comes to your health – both mental and physical – it’s important that you always make well-informed decisions. You need all of the facts before making up your mind on things that can have impacts on your well-being, sometimes years down the road.

It is important to acknowledge that it is well-documented that many women do, in fact, have some negative emotional effect post-abortion. As is typical, the severity of these negative emotions can vary from woman to woman. But because we believe in supporting all women, we don’t want to hide this information from you.

So, what are some of the negative emotions that have been reported in women post-abortion?

Grief and Loss
One of the most common negative emotional effects associated with abortion is grief and loss. Some women may experience a sense of sadness and mourning for the pregnancy they chose to terminate. This grief can be complicated when they don’t feel the freedom to speak about negative emotions connected with abortion. This very often leads them to not seek out the counsel that they need.

Guilt and Shame
Feelings of guilt and shame are also common emotional responses to abortion. These emotions may stem from many different inputs, but it’s important to know that many women do experience these feelings. Women may also question their decision, which also can feed into the feelings of guilt and shame.

Anxiety and Depression
Some women who have had abortions may experience symptoms of anxiety and depression. These emotional effects can result from the complex and often conflicting emotions surrounding the decision. Feelings of isolation, regret, and sadness can contribute to these mental health challenges.

Relationship Strain
Abortion can sometimes strain relationships, especially if the decision is not shared or supported by a partner or family members. This can lead to feelings of isolation, abandonment, and further exacerbate negative emotional effects.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
In some cases, women may develop symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after an abortion. This can include intrusive thoughts, flashbacks, nightmares, and a heightened state of anxiety or distress.

Ambivalence and Regret
Feelings of ambivalence and regret are not uncommon after an abortion. Some women may struggle with a sense of uncertainty about their decision, especially around certain yearly anniversaries and holidays. These feelings can be challenging to navigate.

Here is a more inclusive list of possible negative emotional effects stemming from abortion

> Denial
> Feeling numb (To avoid painful thoughts after abortion, many post-abortive individuals work to shut off their emotions. This may take the form of abandoning friendships and family, particularly if these individuals were part of their abortion experience.)
> Guilt (Abortion can short-circuit the basic human instinct to protect one’s child, leading to feelings of guilt. Additionally, there is survival guilt; the sorrowful resignation that “It’s me or you, and I choose me.”)
> Shame and secrecy
> Acute feeling of grief and loss
> Sadness and depression
> Unexplained anger or rage
> Preoccupation with babies or getting pregnant again
> Avoiding children or pregnant women
> Unable to bond with present or future children
> Fear that future children will die
> Nightmares
> Sexual dysfunction
> Loss of relationships
> Emotional coldness, isolation
> Inability to forgive
> Increased alcohol and drug abuse
> Eating disorders
> Anxiety or anxiety attacks
> Flashbacks of the abortion procedure
> Anniversary syndrome (increase in symptoms on the aborted child’s due date, or the date of the abortion)
> Thoughts of suicide or suicide attempts