Can You Get Postpartum Depression After an Abortion?
Takeaway: If you're struggling with your mental health after an abortion, you're not alone. Although it's not often discussed, the short answer is yes, you can experience depression after an abortion. As a postpartum mental health expert and coach for entrepreneurial moms, I'm here to shed light on this important topic and help you get the support you need.
Understanding the link between depression and abortion
Each woman is unique, so it's important to acknowledge that reactions to abortion are highly personal. Some women may experience an intense sense of relief if they choose to terminate an unwanted pregnancy. Other women may experience significant mental health problems following an abortion, especially if they terminate a wanted pregnancy due to health risks.
Abortion doesn't definitively cause mental health issues, and neither does pregnancy. However, factors like hormonal changes, situational differences, and medical history can all contribute to physical and emotional symptoms following an abortion.
Additionally, research shows that women with previous pregnancy loss may also be at a higher risk of depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder following an abortion.
Other risk factors for postpartum depression include life stressors, lack of support, and having a family member with a history of major depression or other psychiatric disorders.
If you've recently had an abortion and are experiencing subsequent mental health symptoms, I highly recommend consulting with your medical provider and/or seeking support from a therapist who specializes in postpartum issues. They can use depression screening tools and other assessment measures to help you better understand your symptoms.
Common signs of a post-abortion mental health condition
While terms like "post-abortion stress syndrome," "post-abortion syndrome," or "post-abortion depression" may be used to describe women's mental health problems following an abortion, these aren't medical diagnoses.
At the same time, this doesn't mean that the symptoms themselves aren't real.
Let's take a look at some of the mental health issues that may arise following an abortion.
Depression
Common symptoms of depression include
Negative emotions or low mood,
Feeling hopeless,
Isolating from others,
Loss of interest or pleasure in activities once enjoyed,
Fatigue or low energy,
Sleep changes,
Appetite changes,
...and more.
Anxiety
Common symptoms of anxiety include
Excessive worry,
Difficulty relaxing,
Trouble sleeping,
Physical symptoms like headaches or stomach pains,
Trouble concentrating,
...and more.
Post-traumatic stress disorder
Common symptoms of PTSD include
Flashbacks,
Nightmares,
Avoiding reminders of the event (like pregnant women or doctors' offices),
Being easily started,
Feeling tense or on guard,
Irritability,
Shame or blame,
...and more.
Coping with mental health symptoms after an abortion
Just like each woman has a unique response to pregnancy termination, each woman needs to cope with the experience in their own way. Here are a few tips to help you get started.
Let yourself feel your feelings.
You may have a whirlwind of emotions following an abortion, including sadness, grief, anger, confusion, anxiety, and more. On the other hand, you may also experience shock and numbness that leave you feeling nothing at all. These are both valid responses.
As a postpartum therapist, I deeply understand the importance of feeling your feelings. If you don't acknowledge and embrace your emotions, they will inevitably make themselves known in other ways.
I encourage you to give yourself the time and space needed to process your emotions following termination. No matter what you're feeling, you deserve to own your emotional experience.
Prioritize self-compassion.
Depending on the circumstances, some women may experience guilt and shame following an abortion. Stigma and societal factors can intensify these feelings as well.
If you're navigating these negative emotions, I invite you to practice self-compassion. You're a human being having a difficult experience, and you don't deserve to beat yourself up for it.
There are many great self-compassion resources available to help you. Check out this workbook or these guided meditations.
Get support.
You shouldn't have to navigate this experience alone.
While online self-help resources (like this blog post!) are an excellent place to start, they're not a replacement for person-to-person support, including therapy and medical attention.
Talk to a friend who cares or seek out a support group with other women who have had similar experiences. Expressing yourself and allowing other people to be there for you can be incredibly healing.
FAQs about postpartum after abortion
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Hormonal changes following an abortion can depend on several factors, including the stage of pregnancy and your own personal medical history. I recommend consulting with your healthcare provider to get specific advice about your unique situation.
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In addition to mental health issues like anxiety and depression, many women feel a sense of grief following abortion. Since this is a form of loss, it's natural to grieve. You may experience feelings of depression along with denial, mood swings, shock, and more.
Grief can also be amplified by the stigma associated with abortion. You may feel like you can't talk about your feelings or feel worried that you will be judged.
This is one reason why getting support is so important. Know that your experience of grief is completely valid regardless of the perception of others.
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It can be difficult to know how to support a loved one who is struggling. I recommend asking your partner (or other loved one) what they need during this time. Some people may need extra support and care, while others prefer space to process on their own before coming to you. Regardless, offering kindness and compassion is essential.
Final thoughts on postpartum depression after abortion
Any form of loss is highly personal, and grief (along with mental health issues) can come in all forms. You may feel entirely different from one day to the next as you navigate this difficult experience.
While social norms and personal factors can make it hard to speak up, I highly encourage you to seek support during this time. You shouldn't have to make sense of this all on your own.
My practice offers individual therapy for postpartum mental health issues, along with individual coaching and workshops/courses for entrepreneurial moms. If you're interested in learning more about how we can help, I invite you to reach out.
