"A lot of garbage has been bandied about concerning the emotional trauma a woman suffers after she has had an abortion . There is no substantive , unbiased research on this topic but a cursory sampling seems to indicate that women who report great emotional trauma after an abortion were already mentally unbalanced , possibly subject to depression or dramatic mood swings or other mental disturbances prior to becoming pregnant and having an abortion . I am inclined to believe that such emotionally-disturbed women are incapable of making a rational choice in many instances and they probably would have suffered enormous emotional consequences whatever choice they made . But , if one could survey a sizable group of women who were in command of their faculties and capable of making good and reasonable choices , what if these women experienced emotional trauma and greatly regretted their decisions . My first question to them would be , `` Why exactly did you choose abortion ? `` I would like to know if they were forced by poverty to make such a choice , thereby not having a free choice . Or , if they were forced because of the stigma against unwed motherhood and illegitimate birth , particularly if they came from a very religious household , to have an abortion to avoid shame both for themselves and for their families . Again , not a free choice . Another factor would be if a woman were pursuing a very desired career and having a child or being disabled by pregnancy would injure her professional prospects . The workplace does not look kindly upon the demands of pregnancy , giving birth , being responsible for children . America is not a very family-friendly nation and women who are responsible for the primary care of children are severely penalized for having those responsibilities . Again , these women do not have a free choice in the matter ."
"Just to provide some evidence of how incredibly shallow your liberal justifications and imaginings are , here 's some light reading for you simone . It 's from something called a book . CHAPTER 9 HEALTH MORE SPECIFICALLY , MENTAL HEALTH In discussing abortion , and abortion for the motherÂ ’ s health , it is absolutely crucial to know what `` health `` means , legally and in practice , regarding abortion . '' Health `` was defined in detail by the U.S. Supreme Court . The Court said that abortion could be performed : `` . . . in the light of all factors Â— physical , emotion-al , psychological , familial , and the womanÂ ’ s age Â— relevant to the well being of the patient . All these factors may relate to health. `` Roe vs. Wade , January 22 , 1973 And in its companion decision , `` Maternity or additional offspring may force upon the woman a distressful life and future . Psychological harm may be imminent . Mental and physical health may be taxed by childcare . There is also the distress for all concerned associated with the unwanted child , and there is the problem of bringing a child into a family already unable , psychologically or otherwise , to care for it. `` Doe vs. Bolton , January 22 , 1973 44 In a concurring opinion , Justice Douglas further elaborated what `` health `` meant when , in law , it related to abortion . He detailed if she had to : `` endure the discomforts of pregnancy ; to incur the pain , higher mortality rate , and aftereffects of childbirth ; to abandon educational plans ; to sustain loss of income ; to forego the satisfactions of careers ; to tax further mental and physical health in providing childcare , and in some cases , to bear the lifelong stigma of unwed motherhood. `` Roe vs. Wade , January 22 , 1973 This definition of `` health `` has been adopted internationally . As a result , in any nation , if abortion is al-lowed for the womanÂ ’ s `` health , `` that country permits abortion on demand unless other aspects of its laws add restrictions . The World Health Organization of the United Nations defined it as including social , emotional and economic well being of the woman as defined by the woman herself . LetÂ ’ s narrow it down to mental health , in the psychological sense , and askÂ–are there mental health reasons for abortion ? No ! The woman with mental health problems is far more likely to experience post-abortion emotional and psychological problems than a more stable woman . Four classic references here are these : `` Women with a history of psychiatric disturbance were three times as likely to have some psychiatric disturbance `` after an abortion as others who had no such history. `` E. Greenglass , `` Abortion & amp ; Psychiatric Disturbance , `` Canadian Psych . Assn . Jour. , vol . 21 , no . 7 , Nov. 1976 , pp . 453-459 Dr. Charles Ford and his associates at UCLA reported the same finding . '' The more serious the psychiatric diagnosis , the less beneficial was the abortion. `` C. Ford et al. , `` Abortion , Is It a Therapeutic Procedure in Psychiatry ? `` JAMA , vol . 218 , no . 8 , Nov. 22 , 1971 , pp . 1173-1178 `` The more severely ill the psychiatric patient , the worse is her post-abortion psychiatric state. `` E. Sandberg , `` Psychology of Abortion `` In Comprehensive Handbook of Psychiatry , 3rd ed . Kaplan & amp ; Friedman Publishers , 1980 All of these support the original official statement of the World Health Organization in 1970 : `` Serious mental disorders arise more often in women with previous mental problems . Thus , the very women for whom legal abortion is considered justified on psychiatric grounds are the ones who have the highest risk of post-abortion psychiatric disorders. `` Then `` mental illness `` as a reason for abortion is just an excuse ? Precisely . What about psychological problems after abortion ? When your authors wrote Handbook on Abortion in 1971 , there were a few murmurings about post-abortion problems , but little was known . We then saw the negatives as mostly physical . When we wrote Abortion : Questions & amp ; Answers in 1985 , physical damage , while still a major problem , was given less emphasis , and negative psychological aftermath was being seriously investigated . With the publication of this book , far more is known about what is now called Post Abortion Syndrome which clearly is a post traumatic stress syndrome . A Post-Traumatic Stress Syndrome ? Yes . This type of problem was first seen in large numbers in Vietnam veterans , but did not manifest it-self until a decade after they returned . The same ten-year delay has been evident with abortion . T. Keane , Vietnam Vets Trauma disorder level at 15 % , Am . Med . News , L. Abraham , Dec. 2 , 1988 , p. 2 What is Post Abortion Syndrome ( PAS ) ? Many women are very ambivalent about getting aborted but do go ahead . Those around her told her ( and she told herself ) that it wouldnÂ ’ t bother her . When symptoms occur , she tells herself it canÂ ’ t be the abortion causing them , and then into play come her two major psychological defense mechanisms : Repression and Denial . For some this works successfully . For others it shades off to manageable distress , to severe and life-changing upset and even to suicide . There is a delay ? Yes ! Her initial response in most cases is a feeling of relief . Then , with repression and denial , she avoids the problem , usually for years Â—5 years is common , 10 or 20 not unusual . But then , for some , the negative feelings bubble up and break through . Often the precipitating event is : she has a baby , or a close friend or relative has a baby that she has close contact with . She finds out she is sterile , or other life-changing events . What are the symptoms of PAS ? Guilt is ever present in many guises , along with regret , remorse , shame , lowered self-esteem , insomnia , dreams and nightmares , flash backs , anniversary reactions . There often is hostility , and even hatred , toward men . This can include her husband , and she may be-come sexually dysfunctional . Crying , despair and depression are usual , even at times with suicide attempts . Recourse to alcohol or drugs to mask the pain is frequent , sometimes leading to sexual promiscuity . There is also a numbing and coldness in place of more normal warmth and maternal tenderness . Is this due to religious guilt feelings ? Perhaps in some it is a factor , but most women re-ported on in the early studies were unchurched at the time . Perhaps they had seen pictures of fetuses ? Again , not most . Most did not know `` it `` was a `` baby `` when they aborted . But IÂ ’ ve heard that the American Psychological Association says that PAS doesnÂ ’ t exist . This group has been strongly pro-abortion , and this definitely colors its thinking . But during the past decade or more , there have been dozens of national conferences on PAS . There are many professional articles and about 15 books adding more and more authentication to its existence and knowledge about it . Further , every one of the almost 4,000 pro-life pregnancy help centers in the U.S. now has found that an increasing percentage of their time is now devoted to treating PAS women . But so many studies deny PAS . True , and most are invalid for two reasons : ( 1 ) Timing : Most studies have investigated feelings for only a few weeks or months post abortion when she is still feeling relief that her problem is gone . Since the delay before PAS symptoms intrude is often 5 years or more , these studies are invalid . ( 2 ) Superficiality : Her repression and denial push this deep into her subconsciousness . If the survey is done by questionnaire or single interview , she routinely denies problems . These studies are invalid . Only by lengthy psychological testing and counseling can she often admit to some symptoms , much less tie them to the abortion she so desperately wants to forget . You mean most studies miss PAS ? But most polls show few emotional problems Â— only a sense of relief ! Yes , but `` What women really feel at the deepest level about abortion is very different from what they say in reply to questionnaires. `` A Canadian study polled a group of women who had previously completed a questionnaire in which they denied having problems from an abortion . One half of this group was randomly chosen for in-depth psychotherapy. `` What emerged from psychotherapy was in sharp contrast [ to the questionnaires ] , even when the woman had rationally considered abortion to be inevitable , the only course of action. `` It was demonstrated that the conscious , rationalized decision for an abortion can co-exist with profound rejection of it at the deepest level . Despite surface appearances , abortion leaves behind deeper feelings `` invariably of intense pain , involving bereavement and a sense of identification with the foetus. `` I. Kent et al. , `` Emotional Sequelae of Elective Abortion , `` British College of Med . Jour. , vol . 20 , no . 4 , April 1978 I. Kent , `` Abortion Has Profound Impact , `` Family Practice News , June 1980 , p. 80 Are there valid studies ? Yes , and two meta-analyses : James Rogers , who carefully examined over 400 published studies , pointed to the almost universal use of `` poor methodology and research design `` and `` grossly substandard power characteristics. `` He concluded that `` the question of psychological sequelae of abortion is not closed. `` J. Rogers et al. , `` Validity of Existing Controlled Studies Examining the Psychological Sequelae of Abortion , `` Perspectives on Science and Christian Faith , vol . 39 , no . 1 , Mar . 1987 , pp . 20-29 49 Another concurred that existing research is methodologically flawed and that women who abort show more negative outcomes than those who deliver their babies . E. Posavac et al. , `` Some Problems . . . Psychological Effects of Abortion , `` Psychology & amp ; Health , 5 , 13-23 How about specific studies ? An excellent study thoroughly explaining and documenting PAS by the team that named this entity is : A. Speckhard & amp ; V. Rue , Post . Ab . Syndrome : An Emerging Public Health Concern , J. of Soc . Issues , vol . 48 , no . 3 , 1992 and E.J . Angelo , Psych . Sequelae of Abortion , Linacre Quart . vol . 59:2 , May 1992 and P. Ney et al. , Mental Health & amp ; Abortion , Psychiat . Jour. , U. of Ottawa , vol . 14 , no . 4 , 1989 and L. DeVeber et al. , Post Abortion Grief , Psychol . Sequel . of Ab. , Humane Med. , Vol . 7 , no . 3 , Aug. Â ’ 91 , p. 203 Two excellent monographs are : J. Brende , Post-Trauma Sequelae .. Abortion .. , Trauma Rec . Pub. , 458 Morning Glory Dr. , Sparta , GA 31087 V. Rue , Post Abortion Trauma , Life Dynamics , 1994 , P.O . Box 185 , Lewisville , TX 75067 Also a quarterly newsletter from the Association for Interdisciplinary Research in Values & amp ; Social Change available from NRLC , 419 7th St. NW , Washington , DC 20004 . Does it ever lead to suicide ? Suicide is rare among pregnant women , but much more common after induced abortion . It is never re-ported under maternal mortality from abortion , of course , even though it is causative . '' The suicide rate after an abortion was three times the general suicide rate and six times that associated with birth .... the rate for women following a live birth was 5.9 per 100,000 ; following miscarriage 18.1 ; following abortion 34.7. `` They note that women frequently get short term `` post-natal blues after having a baby , but that this rarely translates into suicide , and that the initial stress of having a child is transitional , the over-all effect having a positive effect on womenÂ ’ s health. `` M. Gissler , Abortion/Suicide Link , Br . Med . J. , Dec. 6 , 1996 Then it is rare among pregnant women ? In Abortion : Questions & amp ; Answers your authors de-tail 5 studies clearly showing this . One comment may suffice : `` The fetus in utero must be a protective mechanism . Perhaps women are reluctant to take another life with them when they do this. `` How about after abortion ? In the above book your authors also give the findings of Suiciders Anonymous , and that : suicide post-abortion is several times more common than post-delivery . British Medical Jour. , 1996 What of Psychosis afterwards ? This has not changed since Dr. M. SimsÂ ’ original paper . He stated that , compared to post-delivery disturbances , post-abortion psychoses are much more serious , last longer , and are more likely to recur . They are more often the `` hard `` cases . M. Sim , `` Abortion and the Psychiatrist , `` British Med . Jour. , vol . 2 , 1963 , pp . 145-148 How about an example from a non-Christian culture ? In Japan , where abortion has been legal and accepted for over four decades , a common custom is to conduct Mizuyo Kuyo services in honor of the god Jizo . This god has been made the patron saint of infants who died of starvation , abortion , or infanticide . Small baby statues , in his honor , are bought and dressed . Then , in a Buddhist Temple , rites of sorrow and reconciliation are carried out . Does abortion have any negative effects on her other children ? In some cases a definite `` Survivor Syndrome `` has been demonstrated . Children usually know that mother is pregnant . They also know when she `` gets unpregnant. `` This may cause SurvivorÂ ’ s Syndrome , similar to that of Jews who survived the holocaust . It is an irrational but real guilt at `` why was I saved and why were they killed. `` Dr. Ney has written about this . Dr. Edward Sheridan of Georgetown University has observed also a fear and mistrust of the mother . Originally , a small child , sensing a siblingÂ ’ s arrival , doesnÂ ’ t welcome it . '' When the baby suddenly disappears , the frightened child may get a warped sense of his own power to Â ‘ will people away.Â ’ Or , if he knows that his mother was an active agent in doing away with the sibling , he begins to fear her. `` A simple explanation of this was published in : L. Bond , `` The Surviving Sibling , `` NatÂ ’ l RTL News , Sept. 25 , 1986 . It is also closely associated with child abuse : Dr. Phillip Ney , Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Christ Church , New Zealand , and of later at the University of Calgary , Canada , while still at the University of British Columbia , published a widely read study of this . His analysis clearly pointed to the fact that abortion ( and its acceptance of the violence of killing the unborn ) lowered a parentÂ ’ s psychic resistance to violence and abuse of the born . P. Ney , `` Relationship Between Abortion & amp ; Child Abuse , `` Canada Jour . Psychiatry , vol . 24 , 1979 , pp . 610-620 Is there treatment for PAS ? Yes , but it is not easy . We first must note that only a few doctors are sensitized to the necessary dynamics of treatment . Specifically , most psychiatrists and psychologists arenÂ ’ t much help , nor are psychotropic drugs . This requires a gradual healing process , and during it she must have ongoing close emotional support from one or several people who do not have to be trained professionals . As of the late 1990s , the place to start is your pro-life pregnancy help center . They can either work with her themselves and/or will know who can . Basically , there are five steps to the healing process : ( 1 ) Counter the denial . Bring this back into her consciousness and admit she was a party to killing her own baby . She must grieve over her lost child Â— tears , mourning as for another loved one . ( 3 ) Seek Divine forgiveness . This was not expected but seems essential for almost every woman . ( 4 ) Forgive others . Difficult , again , but some of this is needed to complete the healing and get rid of her long repressed anger . ( 5 ) Forgive herself . Not many get this far , but those who do have real inner peace . What is absolutely crucial at every step in the above is compassionate empathy , support and understanding from one or more persons around her . J. Willke , P.A.S . Five Steps on How You Can Help , Life Issues Connector , Mar . 1996Post Abortion Syndrome - Index Page ."
"lot of garbage has been bandied about concerning the emotional trauma a woman suffers after she has had an abortion"
"woman a distressful life and future . Psychological harm may be imminent . Mental and physical health may be taxed by childcare ."