Uticopa Blog

Recent television programs on BBC1 have highlighted the many traumas involving abortion, but especially those involving teenagers. Abortion-victim teenagers, are especially vulnerable because they are at a critical developmental period of their life. Even though teens are likely to be most deeply affected by abortions, they are also likely to be the least expressive about their doubts and pains. Instead of being encouraged to accept the consequences of their choices, and to mature through the responsibilities of parenthood, they are encouraged to progress their life through infantile destruction.

There is a myth that Post-Abortion Stress Syndrome or PASS does not really exist. Some people say "It is a myth made up by pro-lifers in an attempt to scare women, and to help in their fight to make abortion illegal". Yet, any woman who's experienced PASS doesn't need anyone to convince them it's real. Even though much of the mainstream world still does not acknowledge the existence of PASS, let us not forget that abortion itself has only been legal and widely-practised for twenty-odd years.

PASS is a term that describes the emotional and psychological consequences of abortion. To cope with the emotional pain that accompanies abortion, a woman often develops a set of defence mechanisms to justify her decision. They may include:

Rationalization
A woman will give reasons why she had the abortion, explaining that there were very good and legitimate reasons for having done so.

Repression
Women often bury, or are unaware of, any negative feelings about abortion.

Suppression 
This occurs when a woman erases any negative feelings about abortion from her mind and will not allow herself to contemplate her personal feelings.

Compensation
This occurs when the woman becomes pregnant soon after her abortion to make up for the aborted child. She may abort this one also to reinforce her belief that abortion is right or carry the baby to term to serve as a substitute for the aborted baby.

Symptoms of PAS – sometimes occurring immediately post-abortion, sometimes occurring months or even years afterwards

Guilt 
Guilt is what we feel when we have violated our own moral code. For the woman who comes to believe, at some point after the abortion, that she has consented to the killing of her pre-born child, the burden of guilt is relentless because she has transgressed one of nature's strongest instincts: a mother's protection of her young.

Anger
A woman will often express her guilt and shame through anger at herself and others involved in the abortion decision such as her parents, friends, doctor, the baby's father and men in general. Studies indicate that child abuse is more frequent among mothers who previously had an abortion. This is due to the guilt and depression hindering the mother's ability to bond with her children.

Anxiety
Post-abortive women with anxiety often experience: tension, dizziness, pounding heart, upset stomach, headache, worry about the future, and disturbed sleep. The conflict between a woman's moral standards and her decision to abort generates much of this anxiety. Very often, she will unconsciously avoid anything to do with babies, making excuses for not attending a baby’s birthday party or avoiding the baby aisle at the supermarket.

Broken relationships 
Abortions performed in the hope of saving a relationship seldom succeed.

Depression and sense of loss 
Deep depression after an abortion is not uncommon, triggering feelings of sadness, guilt and hopelessness. Also, there is often uncontrollable crying which can be daily and may continue for years.

Psychological ‘numbing’
Many post-abortive women maintain a secret vow that they will never again allow themselves to be put in such a vulnerable position. As a result, without consciously thinking about what they are doing, they may work hard to keep their emotions on a flat level, experiencing neither highs nor lows.

Suicide feelings of rejection, low self-esteem, guilt and depression are all precursors for suicide.

If you have experienced three or more of the above symptoms in relation to an abortion, or have developed eating disorders, alcohol/drug abuse or any other self-punishing or self-degrading disorder, you should consult a mental health therapist immediately. 

Please don’t deny your feelings.  There is a female therapist near to you who can help you understand your feelings and set you on the right track for the future. You owe it to yourself and to any future unborn children.