In general, we find that abortion is very stressful for women. It is not easy when they decide to terminate a pregnancy. First of all, falling pregnant can already be stressful, especially if it comes with certain medical problems, when it’s unwanted, or even in rape cases.
Furthermore, we find that directly after a woman has had an abortion, she might experience unexpected emotions and reactions. Sometimes it’s also difficult to discuss it due to religious and cultural reasons. Many women might feel emotional distress and guilt caused by religious beliefs that normally creates a stigma concerning abortions.
However, most emotional and psychological responses related to an abortion is normal. Yet, it shouldn’t be severe or persistent enough to affect their daily lifestyle, it typically fades on its own.
Some of these feelings naturally can include the following:
Loss of her self-esteem
Stress that can reduce her ability to cope
Regret or remorse
Guilt
Grief due to the sense of loss
Relief or anxiety
Not every woman will experience emotional responses that are negative with an abortion. Those that do shouldn’t have problems concerning their mental health that is lasting. Some might react positive and feel relief without any regrets. This is because they feel confident that their decision was a choice that is right for them.
It’s a mental or psychological condition of your health, also known as a mood disorder.
Some symptoms and signs you might experience when you are depressed can include:
Sleep patterns that are disturbed
Losing interest in any activities you used to enjoy
Lose your interest in having intercourse
Tiredness or lack of energy
Irritable feelings
Feeling guilty
Concentration that is poor, plus finds it difficult to make decisions
Your ability to think can be reduced
Experiencing sadness or feeling low
Depression can develop at various severity levels. Women that have a mild condition will be able to perform her activities daily with some ease. However, when depression is severe it can affect her life so dramatically that she won’t be able to work. It may also cause other mental issues that are more serious, like psychosis.
Feelings of self-harm or suicide are symptoms that are very serious and they will need help urgently. Depression may not be a reason for physical changes but sometimes depressed patients can talk very slowly. It might also have other effects such as loss of appetite which could cause loss of weight and even anorexia or bulimia.
Grief is a reaction that is naturally occurring with the death of a loved one, but it shouldn’t cause depression over a long term.
To experience loss after termination of an unplanned pregnancy can also be natural, like due to an injury or illness. Yet, in this case, because of a spontaneous abortion, the symptoms might not last very long.
Most of the time, even if a woman decides on an abortion to terminate a pregnancy, she will still experience feelings that are natural of regret, guilt, grief, sadness, and loss afterward.
Women with mental disorders prior to unwanted pregnancies who goes for an abortion can experience it differently as what healthy women would. They might be at a higher risk to develop depression after the procedure.
These risk factors may include:
If they previously had childbirth that was unwanted
In the case of alcohol or drug use
A history of emotional or violence problems
With poverty
Genetics can also be linked to a very high risk of developing depression after an abortion. This means if any of their relatives also experienced depression as an illness factor, it will be more likely for a woman to experience it herself.
Specific events in life may trigger depressive episodes. These include such as rape or physical abuse and it can trigger depression that is severe after an abortion as it may cause a feeling of loss and separation.
It’s important for any woman making the choice to go for an abortion, no matter what the reason might be, to consult a professional for help before and after the procedure. Doctors have the experience to help you understand what you can expect during the abortion and afterward. and may recommend sessions with professional staff to help you through this emotional time.