When we think of abortion, we may think of it the same as we do a knee replacement or getting your tonsils removed, meaning that we think of the physical effects: the seen effects. We talk about how sore you’re going to be and how your body will have to physically recover. Very rarely do you hear about the unseen effects, specifically, the mental recovery. Today, we hope to bring awareness to both the seen and unseen symptoms of abortion. 

The Seen Effects of Abortion

The seen effects of abortion are often what is evoked in one’s mind. The physical effects of abortion are as follows but are not limited to:

 

• Fatigue

• Soreness

• Diarrhea 

• Nausea 

• Spotting and or bleeding

• Cramping

• Muscle pain

 

These are the effects we often experience with many different types of surgeries. We know that this pain and/or discomfort will pass with some time and maybe we get a prescription to help speed up the recovery. Now, that is not to say that this physical pain is to be diminished or to be taken lightly. This is just as real and painful as anything else, seen or unseen. But when it comes to the unseen effects, the healing process is often a different journey. 

The Unseen Effects of Abortion

Just like how each person can experience physical pain differently, this too is true with the unseen effects of abortion. We all experience life events uniquely. Some women go through an abortion and mentally recover just as quickly as they physically recover, but this is not the universal standard by any means. More and more women are beginning to open up about the unseen journey to healing they took and the mental toll that abortion took on them. Some of these unseen effects are:

 

• Depression

• Emotional numbness

• Anxiety, including Anniversary Anxiety 

• Isolation

• Guilt

 

Many women are told that abortion is a quick process, but that’s because the recovery is only based on what is seen. The unseen side of recovery, the invisible pain, is what takes the longest. This is often referred to as post-abortion stress syndrome, a form of PTSD that is gaining more credibility in the medical field. This is a welcome change because for the longest time women dealing with post-abortion stress syndrome, or PASS were often dismissed or told that their experiences weren’t a direct result of their abortion.

The Consequences of Ignoring PTSD

It’s natural to take the painful experiences in our lives and place them in a mental folder to be locked away. When we experience trauma, PTSD can begin to manifest, and ignoring PTSD can affect us in forms that one may not expect, such as: 

 

• Drug or alcohol abuse

• Chronic Pain

• Self-harm

• Sleep Problems
   

Each of the above invisible issues are indicators that you should reach out to someone within your family, a close friend, your church, and/or a support group in your area. Dealing with any of these problems isn’t anything to be ashamed of, but they should be taken seriously before permanent damage occurs. 

All Things Can Be Healed Through Time

During times of depression and anxiety, we can often feel alone. The truth is, there are women who understand how you feel and have gone through this journey of healing. It’s never too late to ask for help and it’s never too late to begin healing.

To speak with someone who can connect you with resources you need, call Pregnancy Care Center of Grants Pass at (541) 479-6264 today. We are an accredited medical center that is dedicated to serving and supporting women and men within our community. All of our services are 100% free and confidential.