Abortion, like any medication or surgical procedure, comes with certain risks. Most people think of physical risks, but have you considered the mental health effects of an abortion?
The negative effects include: drug and alcohol abuse, anxiety, depression, and even suicidal thoughts.
Before making this serious decision, take the time to consider all possible outcomes, including the mental health effects.
What Is Mental Health
The World Health Organization defines mental health to include “our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make healthy choices.”
While many things can impact our mental well-being, an abortion can have long-lasting consequences for mental health. How we feel mentally impacts how we feel physically and emotionally as well.
What Are the Effects of Abortion on Mental Health?
For years, it was thought that the only risks of abortion were physical. Psychotherapist Vincent Rue was one of the first people to introduce the connection between mental health issues and abortion. His study, “Induced Abortion and Traumatic Stress,” found that…
- 60% reported that they felt “part of me died” after their abortions
- 25% said they didn’t receive adequate counseling
- 64% said they felt pressured by others to abort
- 65% of U.S. women experienced multiple symptoms of PTSD (which they attributed to their abortions)
Medical researcher and professor David Fergusson, conducted another study and found abortion was associated with increased risks of anxiety, drug and alcohol abuse, and suicidal behaviors. His study concluded that women who had abortions also had higher rates of mental health problems than other women.
You may think abortion is an easy solution to the problem of your unexpected pregnancy. But you should not make the decision lightly or quickly, especially because the mental health consequences can be so severe.
Pre-Abortion Consultation
First Care Clinic exists to provide services to help you navigate your unexpected pregnancy. We provide information on all of your options so you can make an informed decision.
Specifically, we offer the following services:
- Free pregnancy testing
- Free ultrasounds
- Free STD testing (having an abortion if you have an STD can cause health complications)
- Free consultation on all your options
Contact us to schedule your no-cost, confidential appointment today.