While abortion can affect everyone differently, it’s commonly agreed that abortion is consistently associated with elevated rates of mental illness compared to women without a history of abortion. That’s why it’s essential to consider not only the physical impacts one can have on you but mental health implications as well.
For a full view of abortion and its effects, reach out to us at Desert Rose Women’s Resource Center. We can get you all the information, lay out your options, and offer free pregnancy services.
Continue reading to learn more about the mental health effects of abortion.
Feeling Pressured
One way to protect your mental health is to make sure you’re not feeling pressured into an abortion.
According to the Journal of American Physicians and Surgeons, about 75% of women who had an abortion felt at least subtly pressured into getting one. Of these women, many reported negative mental health outcomes afterward, including feelings of:
- Shame
- Guilt
- Regret
- Self-hatred
- Worthlessness
- Being unworthy of love
- Low self-esteem
- Anxiety
Pre-Existing Conditions And Outcomes
There are a variety of pre-existing conditions that could increase your risk of experiencing mental health problems. These include:
- Having a history of mental health disorders
- Feeling pressured to terminate the pregnancy by others
- Lacking a support system to help you recover emotionally from the abortion
- A desire to have children now or in the future
While researchers often identify these pre-existing conditions to sometimes be the source of mental health risks regardless of abortion, none deny that abortion at least contributes to the underlying factors.
Studies found that women were at an elevated risk for:
- Grief
- Depressive disorders
- Eating disorders
- Suicidal behaviors
- Substance abuse
Protect Your Mental Health
The one thing you can do to protect your mental health is to get fully informed about abortion and all that it entails.
Desert Rose Women’s Resource Center is here to help you understand all your options when dealing with an unexpected pregnancy. Talk with us in a judgment-free and confidential environment where you can express all your thoughts and feelings in a safe space.
Contact us to make a free appointment today.