Post-Abortion Stress Syndrome (PAS) is defined as 1) the inability to process all the painful emotions surrounding an abortion decision or experience; 2) the inability to identify and grieve for the child(ren) and loss incurred; and 3) the inability to come to peace with God, self and others involved in the pregnancy and abortion decision.

Symptoms of PAS

For Women:

IMMEDIATE POSSIBILITIES

Hemorrhaging
Perforation of Uterus
Intense Cramping

ON-GOING POSSIBILITIES

Physical
Scar Tissue
Cancer  Cervical or Breast
Infertility
Tubal Pregnancy
Miscarriage

Emotional

  • Anxiety (headaches, dizziness, pounding heart, abdominal cramps, muscle tightness, difficulty sleeping, etc.)
  • Avoidance behaviors (of anything remindful of pregnancy and children)
  • Depression (sad mood, sudden and uncontrollable crying episodes, deterioration of self-concept, sleep and appetite disturbances, reduced motivation, loss of normal sources of pleasure, thoughts of suicide)
  • Guilt and shame (results from violating one s own sense of right and wrong)
  • Self-abuse/self-destructive behaviors (eating disorders, alcohol and/or substance abuse, abusive relationships, promiscuity, failure to take care of one s self medically)
  • Anger at Self and Others
  • Fear of Never Getting Pregnant
  • Preoccupation with becoming pregnant again (representing an unconscious hope that a new pregnancy will replace the baby that was aborted)
  • Re-experiencing events related to the abortion(s) (persistent thoughts and flash-back memories or nightmares)
  • Anniversary reaction (an increase in symptoms around the time of the anniversary of the abortion, the due date of the aborted child or both)
  • Brief psychotic disorder (a psychotic break with reality lasting for a short period of time)

Relationships

  • Psychological numbing  (the unconscious vow to never let anything hurt
    this badly again can hamper the ability to enter fully into an emotional,
    intimate relationship)
  • Break up with Boyfriend/Girlfriend
  • Marital Difficulties
  • Secrecy/Wedge in Family
  • Inability to Trust Men/Women/Doctors
  • Abusive and Unhealthy Relationships

Men:
(Not all-inclusive and not exclusive to men)

  • Instability in relationships with women
  • Inability to bond with children
  • Sleeplessness, bad dreams, nightmares
  • Avoidance behaviors/addictions
  • Sexual dysfunctions
  • Lack of confidence or unexplainable anxieties
  • Depression, fear of failure, or fear of rejection
  • Uncontrollable rage
  • Loneliness or numbness
  • Sense of loss

 
 
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