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Psychological Risks  

Abortion Procedures

What are the psychological risks of abortion?

Over the years many studies have shown some degree of post-abortion trauma or negative effects. Some studies have demonstrated that these effects extend even to men involved in abortions as well as siblings of the aborted fetus. Such symptoms may include the following:

  • Guilt
  • Anxiety
  • Psychological "numbing"
  • Signs of depression such as unexplained feelings of sadness; sudden and uncontrollable crying episodes; poor self-concept; sleep, appetite, or sexual problems; reduced motivation; conflicts in relationships; and thoughts of suicide
  • Anniversary grief (on the anniversary date of the abortion or due date of the aborted child)
  • Flashbacks of the abortion
  • Preoccupation with becoming pregnant again
  • Anxiety over fertility and childbearing issues
  • Interruption of the bonding process with other children
  • Survival guilt
  • Eating disorders
  • Alcohol and drug abuse
  • Other self-punishing or self-degrading behaviors
  • Brief reactive psychosis

Former surgeon general C. Everett Koop acknowledged that a woman may feel relief and restoration immediately after her abortion, but suffer negative reactions months or years later. He added that "there is no doubt" that there are detrimental effects to abortion, and "as a doctor, I have counseled women with this problem called post abortion syndrome, or adverse psychological reaction to abortion) over the last 15 years".

As with the physical complications, the psychological risks of abortion also need more study, especially in light of the great amount of anecdotal evidence that many people suffer emotionally as the result of an abortion.