An abortion comes with risks to your mental health. If you’ve had an abortion—whether recently or even years ago—and are experiencing difficult emotions, you’re not alone.
According to a report by the Journal of American Physicians and Surgeons, women who have an abortion may suffer psychological effects afterward, including feelings of:
- Depression
- Guilt
- Shame
- Regret
- Self-hatred
- Worthlessness
- Low self-esteem
If you felt at all pressured into this decision, your likelihood of experiencing one or more of these adverse mental health effects is greater.
While it might feel impossible to work through these difficult emotions after an abortion—hope and healing are possible. Read on to learn strategies you can take to get on a path toward hope and healing. Or, if you want to talk to someone in person about our free Post-Abortion Healing program, contact caroline@conquerorsafterabortion.org.
Talk to Someone About What You’re Feeling
When emotions are bottled up inside, it’s like a soda that’s been shaken—they become pressurized and don’t have anywhere to go. This causes us to feel like we might explode at any moment.
When you talk about what you’re feeling, you provide a release valve for these emotions. This allows you to get them out in the open and work through them.
When choosing someone to talk to, ensure it’s someone you trust. You want to pick someone who will listen without passing judgment. If you don’t have anyone to talk to personally, speaking with a support group or counselor can be beneficial. At Conquerors, our caring team understands what you’re going through, and we’re here to listen.
Journal About Your Experience
Sometimes, it can feel intimidating to talk to someone about your abortion experience and feelings in person. If this is true for you, journaling can help.
Journaling is simply the act of writing your thoughts and emotions down on paper. You’ll find that the more you write, the more you begin to understand what you’re feeling and why—and the more you start to know how to move forward.
Sitting down to a blank piece of paper can be overwhelming, so here are some questions to get you started:
- What feelings have I been struggling with most lately?
- What makes these feelings worse?
- What makes them better?
- What might healing from my abortion experience look like in my life?
You’re Not Alone
Post-abortion trauma can make you feel isolated—but you’re not alone. At Conquerors, we’re here for you. We provide biblically-based, free post-abortion healing support because we understand your struggles, and we want you to know that hope after abortion is possible.
Contact us today to get on the path toward hope and healing.