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Do I Have Post-Abortion Stress?

Questions to ask yourself to discover if you are suffering from Post-Abortion Stress:

1. Do you find yourself struggling to turn off the feelings connected to your abortion(s), perhaps telling yourself over and over again to forget about it?
2. Are you affected by reminders of your abortion? (For example, are you negatively affected by babies, pregnant women, or baby clothes? Are you uncomfortable around children? Does the sound of a vacuum cleaner upset you?)
3. Are there certain times of the year when you find yourself depressed, sick, or accident prone... such as the anniversary date of the abortion or the month of the expected birth date?
4. Are you in a situation where you could find yourself faced with another pregnancy?
5. Have you experienced a substantial increase in drug or alcohol use, or any self-destructive behaviors (for example, eating disorders, abusive relationships, or increased sexual activity)?
6. Have you experienced periods of prolonged depression? Have you had any suicidal thoughts since your abortion(s)?
7. Have you experienced any nightmares, flashbacks, or hallucinations (such as hearing a baby cry) relating to the abortion experience?
8. Are you able to talk about abortion? When choosing to share about your abortion(s), are you overcome with strong feelings?
9. If you do not have any children, do you fear that you will never be able to have them?
10. Do you tend to look at your life in terms of "before" and "after" the abortion(s)? Has your self-esteem changed since the abortion(s)?

If you answered "Yes" to any of these questions, you are not alone. The Pregnancy Support Center can help you recover from your abortion experience(s). We understand the emotions and thoughts you are struggling with. Please call us and ask for information about our next Post-Abortion Bible Study group. The group is a safe, confidential place to find healing from your pain.

Here is a good article by Sydna Massee for those men and women who are struggling after abortion.