The Reality of Abortion Trauma.
Hear from women and men as they reveal the reality of how their abortion experience affected them and those around them.
Abortion Trauma wounds can be profound and insidious often enduring a lifetime with transgenerational consequences.
“I have spent many years trying to push the memory of what I have done to the back of my mind, but it won’t stay there.”
“My strong, “dependable” husband just couldn’t handle the prospect of being responsible for another child.”
“I was with her for a year before she got pregnant. I wanted the baby so much, but she didn’t. The day came of the abortion, and I drove her to the hospital…”
“Within a month of the abortion, my hair started turning grey. I almost lost my part-time job because I cried so often at work.”
What is Abortion Trauma?
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Understood to be a type of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and tends to manifest in forms such as self-destructive behaviours, relationship problems, mental health issues and replacement pregnancies; with a delayed onset (months/years) that is often precipitated by a triggering event. The cardinal features are denial and suppression.
Self Destructive Behaviors
Self-destructive behaviours in those suffering abortion trauma has many presentations. It is not uncommon for the person affected to not consciously connect the problems they are experiencing directly to the abortion experience. Presentations may include:
- Obsessive Compulsive disorders
- Financial dysfunction (gambling)
- Associations of violence
- Substance use/abuse
- Suicidal thoughts/attempts
- Abusive relationships
- Adrenaline rush activities
- Self-harm activities
- Provoking crisis
- Sleep deprivation
- Promiscuity
- Workaholic
- Risk taking
Relationship Problems
Relationship problems from abortion trauma are all too common and equally unrecognized. Women and men who have experienced abortion can be left with overwhelming feelings of grief, guilt, and shame. Abortion may have the effect of profoundly wounding self-identity that can lead to:
- Marriage and family relationship breakdown
- Social and professional relationship breakdown
- Child neglect and/or overprotective
- Difficulty bonding with children
- Sexual dysfunction
- Domestic violence
What is Abortion Trauma?
About Abortion Trauma
“If anyone should not have been hurt by abortion, it was me. There was no doubt, I wanted the abortion… but it’s like a cancer, until you deal with it, it affects every aspect of your life”
Find Support and Healing
The journey from grief to healing begins with hope. Know you are not alone. Dare to share with those who care. There is Hope in Healing.
Learn How to Help Others
Awareness and understanding of abortion trauma is the first step towards being able to support those in need. Find resources to help you help others.
