Many people don’t actually realize that abortion could be very stressful, and it can create intense feelings of both physical and psychological nature. Women’s reasons for having that procedure are highly personal, but it can be the only possible solution in some stressful circumstances. It’s individual how your body will react to this procedure and how long it will take to recover physically and emotionally. When you make that decision, there is no coming back, and you have to live with it. Sometimes, your body can absorb all the pain you actually feel and convert it and express it through feelings of grief, guilt, anger, or shame. It’s called Post Abortion Stress Syndrome (PASS).
What Post Abortion Stress Syndrome (PASS)?
It’s really similar to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). They also share the same symptoms, which can last for months or even years afterward. Many women experience heightened feelings of anxiety or depression at the anniversary months of the abortion procedure. Unfortunately, many doctors and mental specialists fail to recognize the symptoms of Post Abortion Stress Syndrome (PASS). Also, many people don’t know anything about it, and they usually ask if it’s even real. But it’s more than real, and many women experience it nowadays. Mostly, it’s the same scenario with a patient’s friends and family, and these are all the reasons why it is so hard to understand it.
Symptoms of PASS
Depression
Depression is the most common after-abortion symptom. Some of the signs of depression are losing interest in some things you’ve loved. You would stay home instead, and it will be more and more until you’re cut off from society. It will surely start to affect your daily life, your work, family, friends, and you can end up suppressing all your emotions. Then, you’ll need someone to help you.
Anxiety and Guilt
After the abortion, it’s impossible to stay totally cold without any emotion. Many women are scared of abortion, maybe because it’s one of the most significant decisions in their life. It’s stressful and, to some people, inconceivable; even if it’s done with an abortion pill, it’s difficult to forget. Anxiety is a typical symptom of PASS. You can experience it if you see a mother or father with the newborn or visit some friends who have a baby. Also, there is something called anniversary anxiety. It is similar to depression when you try to act like it’s just another day, but your mind is not functioning like that. When talking about a traumatic event, you can experience anger, flashbacks, or guilt too.
Sadness and Regret
Sometimes, abortion can be the only possible solution. Many people feel relief at first, but later it turns out some guilt and sadness are involved. It’s completely normal to question your decisions, mainly important ones, but you need to know that you’ve probably done the right thing at that moment. If you want children in the future but you are not financially or otherwise capable of that, it’s completely fine. There are some extreme cases of regret and sadness in combination with suicidal thoughts. In that case, you should definitely talk to someone.
Why Should You Talk About It
Dealing with the Post Abortion Stress Syndrome (PASS) alone could indeed affect your mental health. If you are a lot around babies or pregnant women, you can experience flashbacks or normal feelings of sadness and grief. It lasts for a couple of months or longer, so maybe you should try to talk with your doctor at the abortion clinic Fort Lauderdale. Sometimes, it may seem like you are entirely alone, but it’s expected to feel that as a result of your accumulated emotions. Remember, it was your decision, and there is nothing wrong with it. The first step in recovering is confessing to yourself that you have a problem. Do not feel embarrassed to reach out for support. You can find many counselors at your local clinic, or you can even join a support group. These groups are designed to help you finally heal and to be happy again. You’ll probably feel better if you share your abortion story with other women who know the pain you’re going through.
