Post Abortion Care
Post-Abortive Stress Syndrome, also known as PASS, refers to the trauma and depression that some women who have undergone an abortion go through. These are very real psychological effects. Ignoring this trauma brings additional pressure to bear on women who are experiencing the negative effects of abortion, and can lead to further emotional or psychological issues. Susan Babbel, PhD, MFT, a psychologist specializing in trauma and depression comments, “No matter your philosophical, religious, or political views on abortion, the fact of the matter is, the actual experience (of abortion) can affect women not only on a personal level but can potentially have psychological repercussions.”
How do I know if I have PASS?
Here are symptoms, according to AbAnon’s The Power of Your Story
- Emotions, &/or emotional issues
- Anxiety &/or panic disorder
- Difficulty sleeping &/or sleeping problems
- Disturbing dreams &/or nightmares
- Problems with phobias, or increase in the severity of existing phobias
- Repeated unplanned pregnancies with additional abortions
- Repeated unplanned pregnancies carried to term
- “Atonement marriage,” where the woman marries the partner from the abortion, to help justify the abortion
- Distress at the sight of or socializing with other pregnant women, other people’s babies and children
- Codependence and inability to make decisions easily
- Problems with severe and disproportionate anger
- Distress and problems with a later pregnancy
- Added emotional issues and problems when dealing with future infertility or other physical complications resulting from the abortion
- Unhealthy obsession with excelling at work or school, to justify the abortion
- Obsessive Pro-life or Pro-choice activism
Additional Post Abortion Resources: