Abortion and depression
Categories: Just for moms, Love & sex, Pregnancy & birth, Health & safety, Mommy wars
Is there a link between having an aboriton and depression, or other psychological maladies? According to the American Psychological Association, not if a woman has only had one abortion. In a report that came out last Wednesday, women who have one abortion are no more likely to suffer depression or other mental health problems than women who go on to have their babies.
To be clear, the abortions in question were those that were elective and in the first trimester. Prior mental health as well as self-esteem issues and the fear of stigma were the main factors in post-abortion health, according to the study. Also according to the report, which I find really hard to believe, is that half--HALF!--of American women will experience an unwanted pregnancy and that about half of those--a quarter, for those of you doing the math--will get an abortion. That's a LOT of people.
I also think that it's one thing to look at a hundred studies, but it's another to talk to the women who've made this choice themselves. And yet another for those women to feel like they can be honest with their responses and reasoning behind getting an abortion. I've never had to make that choice, but I know people who have. And let me tell you something--they come from all different backgrounds, are different ages, etc. And each of those women has had to deal with the decision she made for the rest of her life. I am all for women being in charge of their bodies and strongly support the pro-choice movement, but to say that having an abortion doesn't affect a woman's mental health (for better or worse), at least for some period of time, might be a little misleading.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Jay Peroni 8-16-2008 @ 2:36PM
I always get suspicious about studies. You can do a study until it comes out the way you want it. Having an abortion (no matter how many) can lead to severe mental depression and problems. I have seen and spoken to hundreds of women who had "one" abortion and "think about it all the time". I'm not buying the study. I can show many research studies showing the opposite that even one abortion can lead to higher depression, mental problems, and suicide rates. So a study doesn't mean that much. What does common sense say? Well. aborting a baby is a very emotional decision and takes a lot of thought and courage. Often young women are lied to by Planned Parenthood and other "counselors" who do not share both sides of the abortion decision so logic tells me that even one abortion is detrimental to a woman's mental health.
Jay Peroni, CFP
Author of The Faith-Based Millionaire
www.jayperoni.com
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james 8-16-2008 @ 7:32PM
"And each of those women has had to deal with the decision she made for the rest of her life. I am all for women being in charge of their bodies and strongly support the pro-choice movement, but to say that having an abortion doesn't affect a woman's mental health (for better or worse), at least for some period of time, might be a little misleading."
a typical hypocrite.... its mentally damaging, has changed society for the worse..... but you support it......... give me a break
i hope Jennifer Jordan doesn't get paid for the sh*t she publishes
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james 8-16-2008 @ 7:35PM
"And each of those women has had to deal with the decision she made for the rest of her life. I am all for women being in charge of their bodies and strongly support the pro-choice movement, but to say that having an abortion doesn't affect a woman's mental health (for better or worse), at least for some period of time, might be a little misleading."
a typical hypocrite.... its mentally damaging, has changed society for the worse..... but you support it......... give me a break
i hope Jennifer Jordan doesn't get paid for the sh*t she publishes
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Ginny 8-16-2008 @ 11:20PM
This seems pointless to me, women that have babies can also suffer from depression. I don't see how it relates, other then trying to create another reason to take away women's rights.
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queenoqueens 8-17-2008 @ 8:30AM
Well put Ginny.
linda 9-04-2008 @ 2:50PM
abortion should not be considered a woman"s right! it terminates, in other words ends, kills, another human being's rights! abortion is murder!! did you ever wonder why the term pro- choice was invented? because it sounds better than pro-abortion. abort means to terminate,end, kill somthing that was exsisting! a baby is a tiny human being with a completely different dna! We have enough education and technology now to understand that FACT. i cannot believe that abortion is still leagal in america. And by the way, of course women are going to have psycological effects from terminating the life of their baby. "Nature" ingrained in women the instinct to nuture their young and abortion is opposite of that! it will affect them negatively in a pysical, emotional, and spiritual way.
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Danielle 9-12-2008 @ 11:24PM
I've had two abortions. Once as a junior in high school and again as a freshman in college. I had the same boyfriend all through high school until that second abortion in college. He was a loser. I knew I couldn't bring a child into this world with him as the father. And as nice as adoption seems for an alternative, the sad facts are most baby's aren't adopted. The first time I told myself I was just too young...etc. But the second, I knew if I wouldn't have a baby with him as a father, I shouldn't be dating him. Later, I got married and have two children by a wonderful man. I have never experienced any regret or depression. All these years later, I still feel like I made the right CHOICE and if I had it to do again I would do exactly the same thing. However, in retrospect I probably never should have dated the guy in the first place. But the relationship taught me a valuable lesson. Anyone who you can't see a future with isn't worth dating.
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