Snapshot of Post-Abortion and Healing

Post-Abortion Syndrome (PAS) is the particular type of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) when PTSD is the result of an abortion experience. A person who undergoes a traumatic experience, such as witnessing a violent death, experiencing physical injury or sexual assault, often has intense feelings of fear, helplessness, or loss of control.

Women may experience abortion as a traumatic experience for many reasons. Many are forced into unwanted abortions by boyfriends, husbands, or parents. Some may feel their reasons for the abortion are valid yet still feel responsible for the death of their child. While they do not go through the physical experience of the abortion, men may feel guilt or anger at not being able to protect their child.

Some of the common symptoms of post-abortion syndrome are:

• Drug or alcohol abuse
• Repression or denial of feelings about the abortion
• Flashbacks to the abortion experience
• Suicidal thoughts or acts
• Inability to maintain trusting or loving relationships
• Intense feelings of guilt, anger, shame or regret
• Desire for a “replacement” baby

For more information on PAS, click here.

Information from Post-Abortion Syndrome – Are You at Risk? By David Reardon, Ph.D.

It is not uncommon for 10-15 years to pass after an abortion experience before counseling is sought. Women and men may repress or deny the experience because of the guilt, anger or sorrow surrounding the abortion. Subsequent life events such as the birth of a child, the death of a loved one or the end of a relationship may bring the repressed or denied emotions to the surface.     Information from Aborted Women, Silent No More by David Reardon, Ph.D.                 

Men and Abortion

“Society’s portray of abortion as a woman’s issue may be a reason that men tend not to talk about their abortion experience. Because of this portrayal, there is nearly a total lack of recognition by society that men should feel anything related to abortion. It is extremely difficult for people to express grief and work through grief when they are given the message that their grief is not valid. In spite of the changing roles and expectations of men and women, there is still a great deal of pressure on men to maintain a strong and controlled front. Unresolved anger and guilt following an abortion also may contribute to reckless behavior such as drug and alcohol abuse or sexual promiscuity. Finally, there is the privacy factor. Both men and women would be expected to avoid talking about an issue as personal and private at that of abortion.” Men and Abortion:A Path to Healing by Catherine T. Coyle,  Ph.D.

Project Rachel is a ministry of the Catholic Church that offers counseling – emotional and spiritual support - to women and men suffering from an abortion experience, regardless of age, religion or connection to the abortion. The counseling is professional, confidential, and free of charge. 

Many professional counselors may not understand post-abortion issues and thus may be unable to help identify and deal with the source of the pain. Project Rachel counselors receive specific training about post-abortion syndrome in order to facilitate the healing process. Project Rachel also offers group spiritual support meetings and annual one day or weekend retreats.

Many have found the healing and peace they deserve after Project Rachel counseling. For more information call 314-792-7565.

“When I became pregnant at 18, I had an abortion. I was completely unprepared for the emotional fallout. I thought the abortion would erase the pregnancy. I thought I could move on with my life. I was wrong. I experienced periods of intense anger followed by periods of profound sadness. When my feelings became too difficult to deal with, I reached out for help from a trained counselor. With counseling and the help of supportive friends, I was able to enter into a healthy grieving process.” Michaelene Fredenburg, creator of Abortion Changes You

“Abortion has many victims. The child, the mother, the father, grandparents, aunts, uncles, siblings – all are at a loss when abortion is chosen. For myself, there is personal loss because I don’t know my child. But the greater loss is that you don’t know my child, or any of the children we’ve lost through abortion.” Olivia Gans, founder American Victims of Abortion

“As the father of an aborted baby I felt not only loss but failure. Through Project Rachel I was able to regain a sense of self-worth and return to my faith.”   Charles

“I would tell other women who have had an abortion to come, call, run to Project Rachel, because you need healing physically, mentally, spiritually.”     Faye

“I would like now to say a special word to women who have had an abortion. The Church is aware of the many factors which may have influenced your decision, and she does not doubt that in many cases it was a painful and even shattering decision. The wound in your heart may not yet have healed. Certainly what happened was and remains terribly wrong. But do not give into discouragement and do not lose hope…the Father of mercies is ready to give you His forgiveness and peace. You will come to understand that nothing is definitively lost and you will be able to ask forgiveness from your child, who is now living with the Lord.”    Pope John Paul II   The Gospel of Life  no. 99