Healing from Post-Abortion Depression
Hannah had post-abortion depression. And she needed help. She didn’t usually feel like this. Sluggish and unmotivated, like it took effort to even breathe. Her eyelids were heavy. Sleep never came anymore. Everyone was worried about her and wondered what was going on. She couldn’t tell them. She couldn’t bring herself to explain that she felt like part of her was missing, like she had become unanchored and nothing in life mattered anymore. So she tried to forget about it all. About the pregnancy. About the abortion. About the shame and pain and grief that now trailed behind her everywhere she went.
What is Post-Abortion Depression?
Post-abortion depression results after someone experiences emotional trauma following an abortion. Post-abortion depression looks different for everyone. It often includes symptoms like a lack of motivation and inability to eat or sleep. Symptoms can also include anxiety, feelings of sadness and detachment. Women may experience recurring flashbacks of the abortion. Post-abortive men can also feel depressed, and there are resources available to them.
“Just as the reasons for having an abortion differ, so can the person’s emotional response to the procedure. This can range from relief, calm, and happiness to sadness, grief, loss, and regret, depending on the individual’s situation. If negative feelings are severe and persistent, they could be a sign of depression.” (1).
In the aftermath of abortion, women can often find themselves hit with the following symptoms:
- Extreme anger towards themselves or others.
- Abortion stress can cause shame or guilt.
- Feelings of numbness.
- Feeling alone or isolated, dealing with the pain of abortion on their own.
- Trouble connecting with people and being around others.
Though there is no scientific consensus on a link between depression and abortion, there are many reports that point to a connection (2). Post-abortion depression can completely disrupt a person’s life.
Why Does Post-Abortion Depression Happen?
There are a few reasons Post-Abortion Depression could occur. A pregnancy loss disrupts hormones, which can cause different emotions to become prolonged. “Pregnancy loss for any reason can disrupt your hormone cycle, potentially causing negative feelings,” Gabrielle explains. “It’s possible to feel both profoundly impacted and relieved at the same time. An entire spectrum of feelings, from relief to traumatic stress, is normal.” (3).
Risk Factors for Post-Abortion Depression
The following table outlines factors that may increase the likelihood of experiencing post-abortion depression based on reported research:
| Risk Factor | Potential Impact |
| Social Stigma | Feeling a particular social stigma or lack of support following an abortion can lead to depression. |
| Pressure | If a woman felt pressured into an abortion, the chances of her experiencing post-abortion depression are significantly higher. |
| Social Support System | If she does not have a strong social support system, she will have a harder time healing (2). |
| Preexisting Mental Health | In cases where a woman had a preexisting mental health condition, the chances of her dealing with depression increase (3). |
How do I Heal from Post-Abortion Depression?
Hannah did not have to go through the pain of her abortion alone. Instead of talking to someone, finding community, or opening up, she originally decided to ignore it, to make it go away. The thing is, her abortion struggle didn’t go away on its own. “It just eats away at you, especially if you don’t deal with it.” This is a quote from Micki, another woman who tried to ignore her past abortion. Micki began her healing process years after the effects of abortion. She says that sharing her abortion experience is difficult, but also healing.
Personal Post-Abortion Depression Healing Exercises
The most important step of healing is to give yourself a safe space to experience what you are feeling. Give yourself permission, whether you are feeling grief, relief, or a mixture of many different things. Your feelings are important and valid. Journaling is a good first step to find healing. If you are feeling depressed, come talk to us at the Pregnancy Support Center. We can help.