Abortion may have seemed like your only option in the moment, but now you feel the reality and weight of your decision. You are not alone; many women experience this difficult circumstance. A British Journal of Psychiatry study shares there were dramatic changes in mental health in women who had an abortion, after examining medical information from 877,000 women. 164,000 of the women had an abortion and were 81 percent more likely to experience mental health struggles, including depression.
Even if you are overwhelmed with grief, anger, depression, or sadness, there is hope. It’s possible to live a life filled with joy and happiness again. You don’t have to face depression alone. Our team at First Care Clinic is here to guide you through the healing process and share some of the first steps to handling depression after abortion.
Give Yourself Time
One of the best ways to begin your healing journey is to take the pressure off yourself. You could feel you have to stay strong and deal with your emotions quickly, but you must give yourself the necessary time to grieve and process.
If you’re unsure if you’re experiencing depression, here are some common signs:
- Feeling persistently low or sad
- having difficulty thinking, focusing, and making decisions
- feeling irritable
- lacking energy
- sleeping too much or too little
- inability to experience joy or happiness
Acknowledge Your Pain
You can’t move forward if you pretend your pain is nonexistent. You are not weak because you’re experiencing pain, but you are human with real emotions. Acknowledging your pain will not only help you take a step towards healing, but it will allow you to process through each emotion you have, including ones you’re not even aware of yet. If it helps, do this with a trusted friend or family member. Try staying connected during this time with people who make you feel safe and cared for.
Receive Support & Professional Help
Abortion affects everyone differently, and no one has the same recovery process. Get the support and help you need with depression after abortion.
At First Care Clinic, we can help you work through the pain of a prior abortion and begin healing. If you are struggling to deal with a past abortion, please contact us. We offer you the support you need to begin feeling well again. You don’t need to suffer in silence, and you don’t need to struggle alone. We are here for you. There is help, there is hope, and there is healing.