Post-Abortion Trauma: Understanding the Symptoms & Finding Healing
If you have experienced an abortion or played a role in the decision, you may feel alone, overwhelmed, or unsure how to cope. The emotions that follow an abortion—whether guilt, regret, sadness, or even numbness—can be difficult to process. Many individuals suppress these emotions, leading to long-term psychological distress known as post-abortion trauma.
If you’re struggling with post-abortion healing, know that you are not alone. Research shows that 1 in 4 women in the U.S. will have an abortion by age 45【1】, and many experience emotional and psychological effects afterward.
At Open Arms Real Choices Clinic, we provide confidential, compassionate support to help you navigate post-abortion trauma symptoms and begin your healing journey.
Is Post-Abortion Trauma Real?
While abortion is often portrayed as a simple medical procedure, many women experience deep emotional distress afterward. Post-Abortion Trauma Syndrome (PATS) is a form of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) that can develop when unresolved emotions—such as guilt, grief, anger, or regret—are suppressed【2】.
Common reactions to post-abortion trauma include:
✔ Initial relief, followed by waves of grief or regret
✔ Avoidance of conversations about abortion or pregnancy-related topics
✔ Triggers related to pregnancy, children, or anniversaries of the abortion
✔ Shame and isolation, feeling unable to talk about the experience
If you’re wondering how to deal with post-abortion trauma, know that healing is possible—and there is help available.
Post-Abortion Trauma Symptoms
Women experiencing post-abortion trauma may struggle with:
Emotional Symptoms:
✔ Guilt & Shame – Feeling unworthy of happiness or forgiveness
✔ Sudden Mood Swings – Unexpected anger, sadness, or anxiety
✔ Depression & Suicidal Thoughts – Feeling hopeless or questioning self-worth
✔ Fear of Future Pregnancies – Anxiety about parenting or conceiving again
Physical Symptoms:
✔ Insomnia or Nightmares – Reliving abortion-related memories
✔ Headaches & Stomach Pain – Unexplained physical distress
✔ Muscle Tension & Panic Attacks – Increased stress and anxiety
Behavioral Symptoms:
✔ Self-Destructive Behaviors – Alcohol/drug use, eating disorders, or risky relationships
✔ Relationship Struggles – Difficulty trusting or bonding with partners and children
✔ Anniversary Reactions – Increased sadness or anxiety on the date of the abortion
If these post-abortion trauma symptoms sound familiar, you don’t have to struggle in silence. Post-abortion healing is possible, and the first step is acknowledging your pain.
How to Deal with Post-Abortion Trauma
Healing from post-abortion trauma requires intentional steps toward emotional recovery. Here’s how you can begin:
1. Acknowledge Your Pain
Suppressing your emotions doesn’t make them go away. You may have developed coping mechanisms to avoid thinking about the abortion, but true healing comes from processing your emotions in a safe environment.
✔ Talk to a counselor or support group about your experience
✔ Write about your feelings in a journal or letter to your child
✔ Allow yourself to feel sadness, regret, or grief—it’s part of the healing process
2. Accept Forgiveness & Let Go of Guilt
Many women feel they don’t deserve to heal after an abortion. But holding on to guilt and shame prevents you from moving forward. Forgiveness—both from yourself and others—is a key step in post-abortion healing.
✔ Release yourself from self-condemnation
✔ Consider faith-based counseling if spiritual healing is important to you
✔ Surround yourself with supportive people who will encourage your growth
3. Identify & Process Anger
Anger is a common but overlooked part of post-abortion trauma. You may feel anger toward:
✔ Yourself – Regretting your decision or feeling you should have done things differently
✔ A partner, friend, or family member – If you felt pressured or unsupported
✔ Abortion providers – If you feel misled about the emotional impact of abortion
✔ Find a healthy outlet for your anger—exercise, journaling, or counseling
✔ Work through resentment in a safe and supportive environment
4. Grieve the Loss
Grieving the loss of your preborn child can be one of the hardest steps, but also one of the most important. Many women struggle to validate their grief because:
✔ There is no physical evidence (photos, keepsakes) of their child
✔ They feel they “chose” their loss and don’t deserve to grieve
✔ There was no memorial service or acknowledgment of the baby’s existence
Ways to honor your loss and begin healing:
✔ Name your baby and write them a letter
✔ Hold a personal memorial service to acknowledge their life
✔ Plant a tree or light a candle in remembrance
Finding Hope & Healing After Abortion
If you’re asking, “Is post-abortion trauma real?”—the answer is yes. But so is post-abortion healing. Thousands of women have walked this journey and found freedom, restoration, and hope.
At Open Arms Real Choices Clinic, we offer:
✔ Post-abortion counseling & support groups
✔ Confidential, non-judgmental guidance
✔ A safe space to talk, process, and heal
You deserve healing—and we’re here to walk with you every step of the way.
📞 Call us at 208.667.5433 to schedule a confidential consultation.
📅 Make an appointment online:
🔗 realchoicesclinic.com/make-an-appointment
📍 Visit us at 8056 N. Wayne Drive, Hayden, ID 83835
If you’re struggling with post-abortion trauma, take one step today toward healing and restoration. You don’t have to carry this burden alone.
Sources:
【1】 Guttmacher Institute. (2023). United States Abortion Data
【2】 Rue, V. M., Coleman, P. K., Rue, J. J., & Reardon, D. C. (2004). “Induced abortion and traumatic stress: A preliminary comparison of American and Russian women.” Medical Science Monitor, 10(10), SR5-SR16.
