If you’re already managing anxiety, depression, or another mental health condition, knowing how abortion could affect you specifically matters before you make any decision.
While there’s no way to predict the future, research shows us that women who have existing mental health problems are at a higher risk of triggering their existing mental health problems. We’ll cover the research more in depth below.
Make a free, confidential appointment at Abria Pregnancy Resources in Minneapolis. Our team is here to help you get the information you need, without pressure.
What the Research Shows
A review of multiple studies published in the National Library of Medicine found the following:
- Women who have had abortions show higher rates of mental illness compared to women who have not.
- The abortion experience directly contributes to mental health problems for at least some women.
- Women with a pre-existing mental health condition are the group at greatest risk of struggling after an abortion.
The research isn’t speaking in generalities. It specifically identifies pre-existing mental illness as the single highest risk factor.
Often, mental health conditions are not fully cured. They are managed through different methods, but stressful or traumatic situations can aggravate them.
Other Circumstances That Raise the Risk
Beyond a mental health history, these factors were found to worsen outcomes after abortion:
- Feeling pressured by others to terminate the pregnancy
- Lack of support from people close to you
- Needing to keep the abortion secret
- Low self-esteem or other personality factors
Only you know how many of these apply right now, making you the best predictor of how an abortion may affect you.
Start With What You Know
Many women feel relieved after an abortion. Others experience grief, worsening anxiety, depression, or PTSD, sometimes much later. No one can tell you in advance where you’ll land.
What you can do is start with the facts.
A free ultrasound at Abria confirms how far along you are, whether the pregnancy is in a safe location, and whether it is progressing. Abria’s team can also walk you through abortion procedures and risks, including mental health risks, so you have the full picture before deciding anything.
Schedule your free, confidential appointment today. Call (651) 695-0111 or text (651) 360-2575.
All abortion information sourced in this blog is based on accurate information at the time of writing.