You may already be aware of the physical effects of abortion, but what about the mental health effects? Mental health is an important factor to your overall health. Abortion has common mental health effects, including depression, anxiety, and more.
Mental Health Defined
The World Health Organization shares that mental health includes “our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make healthy choices.”
Though many things can affect our mental health these days, abortion is shown to have long-lasting effects on mental health. The way we feel mentally impacts many other parts of our lives, including how we feel physically and emotionally.
Mental Health of Women After Abortion
A study published in the British Journal of Psychiatry reported dramatic changes in mental health in women who had an abortion.
The study examined medical experiences from 877,181 women, of which 163,831 had an abortion; the women who had an abortion were 81 percent more likely to experience mental health struggles. It also revealed that women who had abortions were…
- 34% more likely to develop an anxiety disorder
- 37% more likely to experience depression
- 110% more likely to abuse alcohol
- 155% more likely to commit suicide
- 220% more likely to abuse marijuana
Ten percent of these issues could be linked to the woman’s abortion.
Are You Struggling After Abortion?
As you see in the statistics above, you are not the only one struggling mentally or emotionally after an abortion. Help and healing is available.
If you are still considering your pregnancy options, confirm your pregnancy today to determine if you’re eligible for abortion. Receive free pregnancy testing and an ultrasound at our center.
Contact us today to schedule a free pregnancy confirmation appointment and to talk through your options. We can better inform you about the effects of abortion so you can make a confident decision.