Depression After Abortion 2024: Symptoms, Risks & How To Cope
The belief that depression after abortion is normal is a mental health controversy that has sparked countless debates and scientific research studies. Thankfully, current literature supports it to be untrue and, at worst, temporary.
Studies such as the Turnaway Study[1] compared mental health status in women undergoing abortion to women who carried an unwanted pregnancy and to women who were denied abortion services. While these perspectives are probably motivated by what’s happening politically, they compare women with uncomplicated abortion scenarios to women who have reason to be upset, e.g., being denied.
As such, they don’t really address the direct link between abortion-causing depression. As it turns out, however, even this cause-and-effect relationship has been debunked[2] as related to long-term issues, i.e., beyond three months.[3]
Anxiety vs. Depression After Abortion
The early medical literature on depression symptoms after abortion was fraught with methodological flaws, and unfortunately, both sides of the abortion issue have interpreted data selectively to further their particular agenda[4] of political and social beliefs.
It also turns out that this is more of an anxiety issue, as rates of anxiety are typically higher in women denied abortion care.[5] At the same time, depression seems unrelated to abortion accessibility. Research repeatedly shows that the most important thing for a woman’s mental health is access to health care and social support.
Read on to learn more about how an abortion might affect you or your loved one, the risk factors involved, and how to cope with any emotions the experience might bring about.
Can Abortion Cause Depression?
Depression after abortion may occur in some women, but it’s usually temporary and doesn’t last beyond 12 weeks.[3] While women may feel a range of emotions after an abortion, they usually pass within three months.
The majority of women remain confident in their decision[2] and don’t experience depression.
Women who experience mental health issues requiring therapy usually have underlying risk factors, i.e., a history of mental illness, little emotional or financial support, a health condition, personal beliefs, and social stigma.
In the end, every woman’s experience with abortion is unique and professional treatment, if needed, can help to cope.
Symptoms Of Depression After Abortion
You might feel a wide range of emotions after an abortion, including sadness, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you have depression. Many women go through the process without developing any signs of clinical depression.[6]
Some women experience grief or intense emotions after an abortion, which can be a natural part of the process because it’s a big decision. Some emotions may also be unexpected, but not everyone has the same response.
Some signs you’re grieving or experiencing clinical depression[7] may include:
- Fatigue.
- Sadness.
- Mood changes.
- Disrupted or excessive sleep.
- Relationship issues.
- Guilt, regret, or denial.
- Decreased self-esteem.
- Difficulty making decisions.
- Feeling detached from others.
- Feeling anxious or worried.
- Eating problems.
- Thoughts of suicide.
- Substance abuse.
Again, many women do not experience depression after an induced abortion. Some may go through a brief period with more intense emotions, but most women recover rather than develop clinical depression.
Stages Of Grief
There’s also a popular model surrounding depression after a loss with prescribed stages of grief,[8] but this perspective is distorted. Not everyone experiences a particular type of grief or depression after a perceived loss.
The alleged five stages of grief include:
- Denial.
- Anger.
- Bargaining.
- Depression.
- Acceptance.
If you do happen to notice any of these emotions, that doesn’t necessarily mean you are grieving or depressed. You also may even find yourself spending more or less time in each of these emotions or even skipping some altogether.
Symptoms may overlap, but in the end — depression is a clinical mood disorder, while grief is a natural response to negative feelings of loss and usually passes with time. The grieving process is not the same as depression, and abortion grief is not something many women experience.
Risk Factors
A major depressive disorder, which is not linked to abortion, has several risk factors:[9]
- Chronic health condition.
- Negative life changes, trauma, or stress.
- Lack of emotional, financial, or social support.
- Personal or family history of mental health problems.
- Emotionally unavailable or abusive parents during childhood.
Apart from the regular risk factors for developing depression or anxiety, these factors might increase the risk of depression after an abortion:[10]
- Relationship issues — challenges with parents, friends, or partners.
- Exposure to stigma and anti-abortion media — seeing anti-abortion protestors can increase stress and anxiety.
- Personal beliefs or values — perhaps you never thought you’d get an abortion, but life circumstances led you to choose one despite your beliefs.
- Uncertainty about getting an abortion — struggling with the decision even after the procedure.
- Health condition — a medical or mental health condition that limits your possibilities.
Naturally, all these factors play into some women feeling more emotional distress after an abortion than others.
Spontaneous Abortion
A spontaneous abortion, or miscarriage,[11] is when a pregnancy terminates involuntarily before 20 weeks of gestation.
In one study, almost half the women developed complicated grief[12] after a spontaneous abortion. Since it’s unexpected, it may come with other emotions when compared to an intended abortion. Some studies show that depression after miscarriage is more likely,[13] but declines over time.
What Are The Emotional Effects Of Abortion?
The emotional effects of an abortion are different for everyone. Many women temporarily experience a spectrum of ever-changing feelings, from relief to regret.
Here are some of the most common emotions experienced by women who had an abortion:
- Relief — studies show this is the most common feeling after an abortion.[2]
- Sadness — even with relief, some sadness or grieving may occur.
- Guilt — which may relate more to the pregnancy itself rather than the abortion. For example, wishing to have been more careful with birth control.
- Regret — some regret becoming pregnant in the first place and needing an abortion.
However, even though women might go through a complex set of mixed emotions, most feel confident they made the right decision even years after[14] the procedure.
Post-Abortion Syndrome
Post-abortion syndrome does not exist. There was an old belief that women were more likely to develop post-abortion stress syndrome, a sort of PTSD, after an abortion. However, old research methods were flawed, and new studies have shown that women who receive an abortion are at no higher risk[10] of developing PTSD.
Complicated Grief
While grief is a natural response to feelings of loss, including a pregnancy loss, some people experience severe and prolonged grief[15] that doesn’t dissipate with time. People who suffer from this form of grief are at a higher risk of long-term mental and physical health impairments, including suicidal behavior, and need professional help. However, this form of grief is more likely with miscarriages[12] rather than intended abortions.
Fortunately, cognitive behavioral therapy helps the recovery process.
Can This Situation Be Worse?
When it comes to abortion, certain things can make the situation worse:
- Abortion stigma.[16]
- Little post-abortion support.
- Current physical or mental health issues.
- Lack of social, financial, and health resources.
The process can become much more stressful without proper support and freely available health services.
How To Cope With Depression After Abortion
Recovering and coping with postpartum depression after abortion is possible. Here are some ways how to help and begin the healing process:
- Self-compassion — it’s easy to beat yourself up when you’re feeling depressed, but self-compassion is necessary to regulate emotions[17] and improve mental health.
- Allow your emotions — acceptance doesn’t usually come easily, but allowing yourself to feel everything you’re feeling is important since avoidance can often create more angst and rumination.[18] Know that your response is valid, understandable, and real.
- Ask for support — confide in friends or family that you’re feeling depressed and express your needs, whether that’s space, a place to vent, or quiet company.
- Manage stress — explore ways to soothe your body and mind. That could be through yoga, meditation, breath work, dance classes, or nature.
- Join support groups[19] — find a space to share your experiences and feel a sense of community and support.
- Therapy — along with regular emotional support, you’ll learn new coping tools and gain skills to help move you forward.
The Bottom Line
Recent studies say that abortion does not cause depression.
Of course, that doesn’t mean many women don’t experience a spectrum of emotions, from relief to guilt and sadness after an abortion.
Mood disorders like depression, anxiety, and PTSD may develop if the traumatic event and other risk factors fall into play. Some of the biggest issues that create a higher risk include little emotional and financial support, doubts, abortion stigma, and a history of physical or mental health struggles.
But if you have developed abortion and mental health-related issues, contact in-person or online support groups[20] for much-needed emotional support.
+ 20 sources
Health Canal avoids using tertiary references. We have strict sourcing guidelines and rely on peer-reviewed studies, academic researches from medical associations and institutions. To ensure the accuracy of articles in Health Canal, you can read more about the editorial process here
- Introduction to the Turnaway Study Introduction Recruiting for the Turnaway Study. (2013). Available at: https://www.ansirh.org/sites/default/files/2022-12/turnawaystudyannotatedbibliography122122.pdf.
- Harper, C.C., Goleen Samari, Diana Greene Foster, Gould, H. and Kimport, K. (2020). Emotions and decision rightness over five years following an abortion: An examination of decision difficulty and abortion stigma. Social Science & Medicine, [online] 248, pp.112704–112704. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2019.112704.
- Pinar Yalcin Bahat, Turan, G., Acar, N., Kubra Cakmak and Kaya, C. (2022). Comparison of Depression and Anxiety Scores in Multi/Nulliparous Women who have Undergone Dilatation and Curettage. Acta bio-medica : Atenei Parmensis, [online] 93(2), pp.e2022038–e2022038. doi:https://doi.org/10.23750/abm.v93i2.11089.
- Bilmes, J. (2020). The discussion of abortion in US political debates: A study in occasioned semantics – Jack Bilmes, 2020. [online] Discourse Studies. Available at: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/1461445620906026?journalCode=disa.
- Horvath, S.A. and Schreiber, C.A. (2017). Unintended Pregnancy, Induced Abortion, and Mental Health. Current Psychiatry Reports, [online] 19(11). doi:https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-017-0832-4.
- Abrams, Z. (2022). The facts about abortion and mental health. [online] https://www.apa.org. Available at: https://www.apa.org/monitor/2022/09/news-facts-abortion-mental-health.
- NHS Choices (2023). Symptoms – Clinical depression. [online] Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/conditions/clinical-depression/symptoms/.
- Stroebe, M., Schut, H. and Boerner, K. (2017). Cautioning Health-Care Professionals. Omega – Journal Of Death And Dying, [online] 74(4), pp.455–473. doi:https://doi.org/10.1177/0030222817691870.
- National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). (2023). Depression. [online] Available at: https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/depression.
- M. Antonia Biggs, Rowland, B., McCulloch, C.E. and Diana Greene Foster (2016). Does abortion increase women’s risk for post-traumatic stress? Findings from a prospective longitudinal cohort study. BMJ Open, [online] 6(2), pp.e009698–e009698. doi:https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2015-009698.
- Medlineplus.gov. (2023). Miscarriage: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia. [online] Available at: https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/001488.htm.
- Sas Kulathilaka, Raveen Hanwella and Varuni de Silva (2016). Depressive disorder and grief following spontaneous abortion. BMC Psychiatry, [online] 16(1). doi:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-016-0812-y.
- Farren, J., Jalmbrant, M., Falconieri, N., N. Mitchell-Jones, Shabnam Bobdiwala, Al-Memar, M., Tapp, S., Ben Van Calster, Wynants, L., Timmerman, D. and Bourne, T. (2020). Posttraumatic stress, anxiety and depression following miscarriage and ectopic pregnancy: a multicenter, prospective, cohort study. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, [online] 222(4), pp.367.e1–367.e22. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajog.2019.10.102.
- Overall summary. (n.d.). Available at: https://www.ibisreproductivehealth.org/sites/default/files/files/publications/LAI_factsheet_Mental_health_Apr18.pdf.
- Nakajima, S. (2018). Complicated grief: recent developments in diagnostic criteria and treatment. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B, [online] 373(1754), pp.20170273–20170273. doi:https://doi.org/10.1098/rstb.2017.0273.
- M. Antonia Biggs, Brown, K.A. and Diana Greene Foster (2020). Perceived abortion stigma and psychological well-being over five years after receiving or being denied an abortion. PLOS ONE, [online] 15(1), pp.e0226417–e0226417. doi:https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0226417.
- Elisa Anne Inwood and Ferrari, M. (2018). Mechanisms of Change in the Relationship between Self-Compassion, Emotion Regulation, and Mental Health: A Systematic Review. Applied Psychology: Health and Well-being, [online] 10(2), pp.215–235. doi:https://doi.org/10.1111/aphw.12127.
- Endre Visted, Vøllestad, J., Nielsen, M. and Schanche, E. (2018). Emotion Regulation in Current and Remitted Depression: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Frontiers in Psychology, [online] 9. doi:https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2018.00756.
- Exhale. (2022). After-abortion Support – Exhale. [online] Available at: https://exhaleprovoice.org/.
- Plannedparenthood.org. (2023). Planned Parenthood. [online] Available at: https://www.plannedparenthood.org/planned-parenthood-orange-san-bernardino/patients/miscarriage-support.