Suggested Symptoms of Post-Abortion Stress Syndrome

PASS is not a psychological condition identified by the DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders), nor is it recognized by any major health or mental health organizations. In fact, organizations like the American Psychiatric Association and the Center for Reproductive Rights have put out statements explaining that post-abortion stress syndrome is not an actual mental health condition. The syndrome is mainly shared among anti-abortion groups. Definitions and symptoms of post-abortion stress syndrome vary, but its suggested characteristics usually resemble post-traumatic stress syndrome (PSTD) and include symptoms like:

Guilt and regret over having an abortion Feelings of depression and emotional numbness Experiencing thoughts of suicide or self-harm Having flashbacks to the abortion and experiencing nightmares Feeling anxious and hypervigilant Feeling triggered when seeing babies or when your baby’s due date passes

Impacts of Abortion on Mental Health

Abortion is more common than you might realize. 1 in 4 women (or people assigned female at birth) will have an abortion by age 45. Abortion is not without any emotional impacts. Still, there is an abundance of research to show that experiencing an abortion is unlikely to cause serious or long-term mental health impacts. Moreover, the idea that people who have abortions typically experience PTSD-like symptoms is unfounded. Let’s take a look at what the research says about the mental health impacts of abortion.

Risk of PTSD   

A 2016 study published in BMJ Open looked specifically at the risk of developing PTSD after an abortion. They analyzed a group of 863 individuals within four years after receiving abortion care. Some of these people got abortions, and others did not. The researchers concluded that the risk of developing PTSD was similar among the people who got abortion and the ones who did not. The study researchers’ conclusion is that getting an abortion in and of itself does not trigger PSTD.

Happiness and Emotional Well-Being

Several studies have looked at the emotional impacts of abortion. Does having an abortion make you more depressed? Do you typically experience regret? What does abortion do to self-esteem? A 2014-study published in Quality of Life Research found no evidence that abortion negatively impacts self-esteem or that it decreases life satisfaction. Another study, published in 2020 in Social Science & Medicine, found no evidence that people experience negative emotions related to their abortions. This was consistent throughout the five-year period after the abortion. Instead, a large proportion felt confident that their abortion was the right decision for them. The most prevalent emotion experienced by people who got an abortion was relief.

There are some circumstances where people experience stress and mental health issues related to abortion. However, this is not always related to the abortion itself, and is often related to not getting proper abortion care when needed. As reported in the Turnaway Study, a large analysis of the impacts of abortion from Advancing New Standards in Reproductive Health (ANSIRH) at the University of California, the following risk factors are linked to an increased risk of depression after an abortion:

History of mental health challenges History of child abuse History of neglect History of sexual assault History of intimate partner violence

The Turnaway Study also found that people who wanted an abortion but were denied one were more likely to experience high levels of anxiety and stress, especially at the time that the abortion was denied. But people who were able to obtain abortion care were more likely to experience increased levels of self-esteem as compared to people who were denied care.

Coping With Abortion

Abortion is a complex issue, and it’s common to have many emotions before, during, and after an abortion. You may feel grief, relief, depression, stress, anxiety, or feelings of strength and empowerment. It’s important that you have support before and after your abortion. Having a trusted friend or loved one take you to your abortion and stay with you after is invaluable. If you don’t have anyone in your life you can reach out to, there are other ways to receive support. Importantly, if you are experiencing depression and anxiety that lasts more than two weeks, or have are having thoughts of suicide or harming yourself, you should seek immediate mental health care.

Connect & Breathe: 1-(866) 647-1764 Exhale: call 1-888-493-0092, or text 617-749-2948 First Candle: 1-(800) 221-7437

These websites offer free support for people who’ve had abortions:

A Heartbreaking Choice Exhale Pro-Voice Miss Foundation

For more mental health resources, see our National Helpline Database.