There are many negative emotional reactions that have been associated with abortion. Some women experience "impacted grieving," which reflects an inability to complete the grieving process. Some of these feelings are masked or compounded by changing hormone levels. Sometimes this occurs within days and sometimes it happens after many years. This psychological response is known as Post-Abortion Stress (PAS). Several factors that impact the likelihood of Post-Abortion Stress include; the woman's age, the abortion circumstances, the stage of pregnancy at which the abortion occurs, and how the woman felt about abortion before the pregnancy.
Post-Abortion Stress Symptoms
Guilt
Anger
Anxiety
Depression
Suicidal Thoughts (30-50%)
Actual suicide attempts (7-30%)
Anniversary Grief
Flashbacks of Abortion
Sexual Dysfunction
Relationship Problems
Eating Disorders
Alcohol and Drug Abuse
Psychological Reactions
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