With all of the information available about abortions, there is actually very little known about the psychological effects of abortion. For instance, some people think that even though abortion brings about strong emotions, it doesn’t actually cause depression. Others think that there is a condition known as abortion depression. There is very little research on this subject, because there are so many factors that play into it. For instance, there may be other factors contributing to depression. But, it is a known fact that there is a significant amount of sadness experienced by those who terminate their pregnancies, and that this sadness can play a role in depression. Today we are going to discuss how to cope with the emotions that follow an abortion.
Identify Feelings
There are going to be a lot of emotions swirling around, both before and after an abortion. Every woman is different, and they are going to have different feelings, as well as different levels of feelings. What may deeply affect one woman may not have as much of an effect on another. Also, no amount of reading and research is going to prepare a woman for the way she is going to feel following her abortion. It is important for a woman to be able to identify her feelings, and then she will be better able to deal with them. The most common feelings following an abortion are:
- Guilt – Because we are made to think that abortion is a horrible thing, many women feel incredibly guilty about their decision to have an abortion.
- Sadness – No matter what the reason for the abortion, there is going to be a lot of sadness. It is important to deal with this sadness following an abortion, lest it be a factor in future depression.
- Relief – Many women feel relieved after having an abortion, and this can bring on sadness, because they feel guilty about feeling relieved.
Allow Time for Grieving
It is only natural that one is going to grieve after terminating their pregnancy. When you come right down to it, this is a decision that no woman truly wants to make. But, there are times when it is the best decision. Following an abortion, it is okay for a woman to take some time to grieve. They are not going to get over this right away, and some women actually never get over it. Every woman is different, and everyone grieves in their own way.
Ask for Help
Some women feel that they cannot tell anyone about their abortions, and they have to keep all of their emotions about it bottled up. “It is better to find someone that they can talk to, whether it be a friend, a family member, or even a professional counselor. Following an abortion, it is important for a woman to find others who understand what she is going through, and who can help her sort out her own feelings about what has happened,” suggests a doctor from Brooklynabortionclinic.nyc.
Don’t Ask for Forgiveness from Anyone but Yourself
Having an abortion is nothing to be ashamed of, and no one should ever have to ask for anyone’s forgiveness. A woman who has had an abortion has done so for very specific reasons, and she should never have to feel like she is being judged for her choices. She should also be able to forgive herself. She didn’t have an abortion on a whim, and she likely thought long and hard about her decision. She needs to be able to grieve, and then not blame herself for terminating the pregnancy. She doesn’t need anyone’s forgiveness for doing what was right for her.
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