Post Abortion Stress Syndrome (PAS) affects everyone and is a form of post-traumatic stress disorder. The process of making an abortion choice, experiencing the procedure and living with the grief, pain and regret is certainly, at it’s very core, traumatic. As with any trauma, individuals often try to “forget” the ordeal and deny or ignore any pain that may result.

Many simply don’t relate their distress to the abortion experience. At some point, however, memories resurface and the truth of this loss can no longer be denied. During these moments, the pain of post-abortion syndrome reveals itself in the hearts of millions of lives.

The symptoms of post abortion syndrome will not necessarily appear at the same time, nor is likely that any woman will experience the entire list. Some may occur immediately after an abortion and others much later. If you can identify with more than two of these symptoms, it could be that you are experiencing post-abortion syndrome.

DON’T SUFFER IN SILENCE – There is HOPE AFTER ABORTION. For more information, contact us at stateoffice@grtl.org.

POST ABORTION SYNDROME SYMPTOMS

  • Impacted grieving: This reflects an inability to complete the grieving process.
  • Self-destructive tendencies such as eating disorders, sexual dysfunction, and substance abuse.
  • Feelings of isolation.
  • Feelings of confusion and difficulty concentrating.
  • Anxiety attacks.
  • Irritability.
  • Outbursts of rage or anger.
  • Aggressive behavior.
  • Nightmares or sleeping disorders.
  • Recurrent and intrusive thoughts about the abortion or the aborted child.
  • Flashbacks to the abortion experience.
  • Feelings of intense grief or depression on the date of the abortion or the due date of the aborted pregnancy.
  • Repression or denial about thoughts or feelings dealing with the abortion.
  • Efforts to avoid activities or situations which remind one of the pregnancy or abortion.
  • Withdraw or estrangement from others.
  • Inability to maintain loving or trusting relationships.
  • A sense of hopelessness or futility about the future.
  • Diminished interest in previously enjoyed activities.
  • Suicidal thoughts or acts.