Do you feel emotions like guilt, shame, grief, and anger after an abortion? You are not alone. 

A report by the American Psychological Association’s (APA) Task Force on Mental Health and Abortion (TFMHA) found that “it is clear that some women do experience sadness, grief, and feelings of loss following termination of a pregnancy, and some experience clinically significant disorders, including depression and anxiety.”

Healing is possible, and you don’t have to stay stuck where you are. Joy and peace can be yours again with the right tools and support. 

Mental Health After Abortion

If you have struggled with anxiety, depression, and sadness previously, an abortion may add to those emotions. Some other mental health issues that women associate with their abortion include the following:

• Relationship problems
• Substance misuse
• Depression
• Thoughts of suicide
• Post-traumatic Stress Disorder  (PTSD)

How Do I Recover After Abortion?

Give Yourself Grace

Healing includes extending grace and compassion to yourself. Here are some easy ways to start this process today:

• Acknowledge your emotions and give yourself time to process them
• Replace negative self-talk with positive self-talk and forgive yourself 
• Lean on those around you and reach out for support and a safe place to talk. You can’t do this all on your own

Seek Professional Help

Lastly, seek professional help as you navigate the recovery journey after abortion. Connect with someone who specializes in abortion recovery and trauma. You may even join a recovery group and hear stories like yours. Whether you do it one-on-one or with a group, both options are the beginning of your healing journey. 

Talk to our staff today about your post-abortion recovery, and we can help connect you to professional help. We partner with many outside community organizations to provide a wide range of services for women experiencing an unplanned pregnancy