The purpose of this section is to identify, to interested professionals, the psychological/emotional after effects as expressed by women, men and other family members who have sought support and counselling after abortion.

We have found that the recognition of Post Abortion Trauma has been lost within the political debate and this has had a detrimental affect on the counselling provision both before the decision is made in the crisis pregnancy and after in the understanding of the symptoms that arise.

QUOTE:

March 29th 2005 Toronto Psychiatrist Dr Joseph Berger attests that, "In more than 30 years of clinical practice as a psychiatrist, I have not come across an adult woman who, years after having had an abortion, has not had deep regrets, sadness and often a profound sense of loss, especially if she has not had any children."

Post Abortion Trauma as a type of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Independent Newspaper 6 August 1990

Professor ACP Sims President – The Royal College of Psychiatrists

"Psychological Trauma…psychological assault is at least as harmful as physical trauma.

Jumping on a healthy man's chest will result in fractured ribs, considerable pain, and inability to work at least for a time. Psychological trauma also causes identifiable symptoms, distress and inability to function. Post traumatic stress disorder is not a disease but a syndrome: that is, a group of symptoms that occur together in particular circumstances. Having your ribs broken when a man jumps on your chest should not result in your being considered inadequate or incompetent: neither should the experience of the inevitable psychological consequences of trauma.

It is hoped that airing this issue will result in greater understanding for those who suffer the very long term and highly distressing consequences of individual or collective disaster."

The above quotes re-enforce the reality of the experience of many who come for support and understanding in the aftermath of their crisis pregnancy and abortion.

THE CRISIS PREGNANCY AND SUBSEQUENT ABORTION

The provision of abortion service in Britain has overtaken the psychological/emotional care of the women involved. Due to the lack of unbiased scientific research, a distorted view of the classification of either the psychological or emotional impact of this tragic human experience has emerged.

Counselling provision is very much dependant on resources available and the RCOG guidelines can only be implemented where provision has been identified. Good practice cannot be established if the extent of the emotional/psychological trauma is not fully understood, acknowledged and treated.

The Emotional Crisis within the Pregnancy and subsequent Abortion:

A crisis is an extreme problem or difficulty which because of its nature and magnitude renders a person temporarily unable to cope. The crisis forces the person to rely on new and untried methods of dealing with the tension in their lives.

In the crisis pregnancy the women perceives the people or the circumstances in her life to be so hostile that abortion may be considered as the only alternative to having the baby. Even if she doesn't want to abort, she doesn't know how she can possibly continue with the pregnancy and is therefore very vulnerable to making a wrong choice.

The majority of the women who come to us 'Post Abortion' express helplessness, at the point of crisis, that if explored in counselling, would have allowed the fear/panic/pressure to be addressed and the opportunity for a more fully informed choice to be made. Many express anger/regret/guilt and despair that they re-acted to the pregnancy in a totally negative way which contributed to their knee-jerk reaction in choosing abortion.

Post Abortion Trauma as a sub type of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder can be confusing to not only the women who experiences many conflicting emotions and feelings but also to those within the caring professions who may not be fully aware of the dynamics or extent of the trauma as presented by a patient. Some women will seek support and help soon after their abortion while others may have strong coping skills which can slowly crumble over time and eventually cause dysfunctions, depression, panic attacks, sleeplessness or other symptoms that correspond with a destructive life style. They may also be very afraid to admit to having had an abortion because of the shame and self hatred they feel, thus causing the doctor or other professional to be treating the symptom rather than the root cause, the crisis pregnancy and abortion.

Research Reference Links:
http://www.afterabortion.org/
http://www.MedSciMonit.com/pub/vol_10/no_10/4923.pdf
http://www.cmaj.ca/cgi/content/full/172/5/653
http://www.cmaj.ca/cgi/eletters/172/5/637
http://www.careconfidential.com/

Support Organisations:
http://www.silentnomoreawareness.org/
http://www.tellmyabortionstory.com/
http://www.rachelsvineyard.org/
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