Even though it’s a choice, the mental and psychological effects of abortion can be underestimated. Post-Abortion Stress (PAS) is defined as an individual’s struggle to express and work through thoughts and feelings about a pregnancy, an abortion, and striving to come to peace with oneself and others.
PAS is the ongoing inability to:
– Process the painful thoughts and emotions, particularly guilt, grief and anger, which come from one or more abortions.
-Identify or grieve the loss that has been experienced.
-Come to peace with oneself or others regarding the abortion decision.
-Guilt, anxiety, or psychological numbness
-Depression (unexplained feelings of sadness; sudden uncontrollable crying episodes; poor self-esteem; sleep or appetite disruption; reduced motivation; conflicts in relationships; thoughts of suicide)
-Anniversary grief (on the anniversary date of the abortion or due date of the aborted child)
-Flashbacks of the abortion
-Preoccupation with becoming pregnant again or anxiety over fertility and childbearing issues
-Interruption of the bonding process with other children
-Survival guilt
-Eating disorders, alcohol and drug abuse, or other self-punishing or self-degrading behaviors
Emotional and mental health are critical to our overall health and wellness.
Choosing to have an abortion may have left you suffering some emotions you weren’t expecting. The compassionate advocates at the Chequamegon Pregnancy Center are here to offer a safe place to talk about your abortion experience. If you have had an abortion in the past, check and see if you are currently experiencing some of the grief symptoms listed above.
The Chequamegon Pregnancy Center offers a free post-abortion wellness program completely free and confidential.
Chequamegon Pregnancy Center does not offer or refer for pregnancy terminations or birth control. Information is provided as an educational service and should not be relied on as a substitute for professional and/or medical advice.
Mon, Wed, Thur – 9am – 5pm
EVENING APPTS, IF NEEDED
200 Chapple Avenue
PO Box 13
Ashland, WI
