BUSTED: The most common feeling women report after an abortion is relief and “Post-Abortion Syndrome” is not recognized in the psychological community.

Although postpartum depression is. Funny the antis never see fit to mention that.

We’ve all seen the anti-choice claims that women regret their abortions. It’s true, some do, and they are not to be ignored, however they are a minority. The majority of women feel relief after an abortion and simply go on with their lives. No depression, no suicidal thoughts, no “Post-Abortion Syndrome.”

So-called “Post-Abortion Syndrome,” which the antis so love to talk about, isn’t recognized by any medical or psychological organization. The antis just made it up. Curiously, they never see fit to mention post-postpartum depression, which is medically recognized and may affect up to 25% of postpartum women.

Research

American Psychological Association Task Force on Mental Health and Abortion, Brenda Major, PhD, ChairMark Appelbaum, PhDLinda Beckman, PhDMary Ann Dutton, PhDNancy Felipe Russo, PhDCarolyn West, PhD, 2008

The best scientific evidence published indicates that among adult women who have an unplanned pregnancy the relative risk of mental health problems is no greater if they have a single elective first-trimester abortion than if they deliver that pregnancy. The evidence regarding the relative mental health risks associated with multiple abortions is more equivocal. Positive associations observed between multiple abortions and poorer mental health may be linked to co-occurring risks that predispose a woman to both multiple unwanted pregnancies and mental health problems.

Science, Psychological responses after abortion, NE Adler, HP David, BN Major, SH Roth, NF Russo, GE Wyatt, Science6 April 1990: Vol. 248 no. 4951 pp. 41-44 DOI: 10.1126/science.2181664

A review of methodologically sound studies of the psychological responses of U.S. women after they obtained legal, nonrestrictive abortions indicates that distress is generally greatest before the abortion and that the incidence of severe negative responses is low. Factors associated with increased risk of negative response are consistent with those reported in research on other stressful life events.

Archives of General Psychology, Psychological Responses of Women After First-Trimester Abortion, Brenda Major, PhD; Catherine Cozzarelli, PhD; M. Lynne Cooper, PhD; Josephine Zubek, PhD; Caroline Richards, PhD; Michael Wilhite, PhD; Richard H. Gramzow, PhD Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2000;57:777-784

Results Two years postabortion, 301 (72%) of 418 women were satisfied with their decision; 306 (69%) of 441 said they would have the abortion again; 315 (72%) of 440 reported more benefit than harm from their abortion; and 308 (80%) of 386 were not depressed. Six (1%) of 442 reported posttraumatic stress disorder. Depression decreased and self-esteem increased from preabortion to postabortion, but negative emotions increased and decision satisfaction decreased over time. Prepregnancy history of depression was a risk factor for depression, lower self-esteem, and more negative abortion-specific outcomes 2 years postabortion. Younger age and having more children preabortion also predicted more negative abortion evaluations.

Conclusions Most women do not experience psychological problems or regret their abortion 2 years postabortion, but some do. Those who do tend to be women with a prior history of depression.

 

http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa0905882