While some women feel immediate relief after an abortion, for other women, abortion causes complex emotions to surface days, weeks, or even years later. If you’re struggling emotionally after an abortion, you’re not alone.
A study by the Journal of American Physicians and Surgeons found that almost 75% of women who had an abortion and felt at least subtly pressured into making the decision experienced difficult emotional and mental health challenges, including:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Guilt
- Shame
- Regret
- Self-hatred
- Feelings of worthlessness and low self-esteem
- Thoughts or attempts of suicide
If you’ve had an abortion and are facing these struggles, the good news is that hope and healing are possible. There are steps you can take that will put you on a path toward emotional recovery.
Share Your Experience With People Who Understand
The guilt and shame that often surface after an abortion can feel isolating, but sharing your story with others who understand is healing. Often, when these emotions stay bottled up inside, they can be challenging to manage and cause the pain to become more intense. But talking about your emotions is like a release valve that gets your feelings out in the open.
When you talk about your feelings with another person who understands your experience, you will work through and learn how to manage your emotions in the process. This act of sharing is a cathartic exercise that can lead to emotional healing.
If you don’t know anyone personally to talk to, finding a trained grief counselor is a great option.
At First Choice Georgia Pregnancy Clinic, we offer free Post-Abortion Recovery Sessions with a qualified counselor trained in post-abortion support. These sessions provide a confidential, non-judgmental space to discuss your emotions and experiences.
Write Your Thoughts in a Journal
If you aren’t ready to share your feelings and experiences with another person, writing them down in a journal can be a healing first step. While sitting down to a blank page can be intimidating, thinking through these journal prompts can help you get started:
- What emotion am I struggling with the most?
- What makes this feeling worse?
- What makes this feeling better?
- What might healing from this experience look like for me? (Think of practical applications. For example, would healing look like enjoying your hobbies again? Getting back into a healthy routine? Etc.)
- Where can you go for help with what you’re feeling?
You’re Not Alone
Abortion can be an emotionally painful experience, but you don’t have to work through the trauma alone. At First Choice Georgia Pregnancy Clinic, we’re here for you. Contact us today to schedule a free appointment with our trained post-abortion counselors.
Hope and healing are available, and you will make it through this.
