According to a study published in the journal BMC Psychiatry, women who have experienced abortion have high levels of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which follow findings from earlier studies linking abortion and PTSD.

The study of 155 women in South Africa who had abortions looked at symptoms before abortion and at one month and three months after abortion. Almost one-fifth of the women had symptoms that met the criteria for PTSD, leading the authors to note that "high rates of PTSD characterize women who have undergone voluntary pregnancy termination." Further, at three months after the abortions, the number of women with PTSD had increased by 61 percent compared to before the abortion.

The researchers compared levels of pain and psychological outcomes among women who had received a local anesthetic versus those who had received IV sedation. Women who had received a local anesthetic had higher levels of pain before and during abortion and were more likely to experience PTSD symptoms, but researchers found no difference in symptoms over a longer period of time.

In other words, what the study found was that using one form of pain management over the other did not effect rates of psychological trauma experienced by women after abortion. These findings lend credence to the theory that abortion itself is the cause of trauma for women, not the amount of physical pain they experience.

This study is not the first to link abortion with increased levels of PTSD. In a 2004 study published in the Medical Science Monitor, 65 percent of American women who had undergone abortions reported symptoms of PTSD, which they attributed to their abortions, and slightly over 14 percent reported all the symptoms necessary for a clinical diagnosis of PTSD.

Other studies have linked abortion to higher rates of sleep disorders, which are often associated with PTSD, as well as higher rates of anxiety disorders, clinical depression, substance abuse, suicide, and other problems. One study found increased rates of death from cardiovascular rates among women who had abortions up to eight years earlier compared to women who gave birth, which the researchers speculated could be related to trauma symptoms.

The authors of the BMC study called for more screening to be done on women prior to abortion in order to "help identify women at risk of PTSD and provide follow-up care." However, there is no evidence that abortion alleviates any psychological symptoms in women and abortion has been in fact linked to increased mental health problems - including PTSD - after abortion.

The Elliot Institute's model legislation, the Protection from High Risk and Coerced Abortion Act, would require abortion businesses to screen women for evidence that they are being coerced or forced into unwanted abortions and for other risk factors that are likely to put them at risk for post-traumatic stress and other problems after abortion.

"The abortion industry should not be subjecting women to a procedure that is likely to increase or cause symptoms of post-traumatic stress or other mental health problems," said Elliot Institute director Dr. David Reardon, who has worked on more than a dozen studies documenting the psychological impact of abortion on women. "Furthermore, the evidence shows that many of these abortions are unwanted and the result of pressure or coercion from others. The industry should be held liable for putting women at risk and performing unwanted and dangerous abortions."

Source: Lifesite News

I'm sorry, but that sounds scary to me. "Lifesite News", now that wouldn't be a religious pro-life circulation, would it?

Is there really a way to tell if someone is going to "get" PTSD? I didn't think that was possible, but I'm fairly ignorant to my own illness.

Well, I have a bit of trouble with these types of studies. I must admit, however, that I am a bit biased, as I am a strong pro-choice feminist/activist. However, I did a lot of research on this as an undergrad, and I also have a background as rape crisis counselor, so my "opinion" IS backed up through data.

That being said, this is what I find troubling about the study:

1. Many of these studies are either led, funded, or otherwise supported by anti-choice groups and/or the religious right. Therefore, I wonder if there may be any bias in how the study is conducted and/or how the results are interpreted.

2. Women who choose abortion may be at a higher risk for PTSD even without the abortion. For example:

- There are many women whose pregancy is the result of rape/incest, and very often these women will not report sexual assault as the cause of the pregnancy
- There are many women who choose abortion due to incliment home situations, such as domestic abuse
-(Especially in young women), many become sexually active before they're ready due to difficulties during childhood (family issues, etc.) and these women tend to be less likely to use proper controception, and therefore are at a higher risk for pregnancy and PTSD in itself
- Many, (in fact most), women who choose abortion do so because they cannot provide what is needed for a child, financially and/or emotionally. If these women are more likely (than women who choose to bring the fetus to term) to have an unstable background, (again financially, emotionally, etc.), then it would make sence that they would also be at a higher risk for PTSD

3. These types of studies often influence both the medical community as well as women deciding on abortion. It's as if a warning is attached. However, we will never know the psychological impact of THESE women had they chosen to carry the fetus to term. Yes, we may compare them to those who decided not to abort, but these two groups of women are NOT the same and should not be treated as such.

4. Studies like this often sway policy and law, which may then make it harder for women to obtain abortion. This may then cause more cases of PTSD in the future.

5. Basically, studies such as this make it seem as though women are unable to make the choice for themselves. Believe it or not, (as Rosie the Riveter stated), "we can do it." We do not need doctors, theorists, or anyone telling us what is best for our own bodies, our own lives.

Now I uderstand that there are many women, (especially in certain countries), who are either pressured or forced to abort their fetus. I, as well as pretty much pro all-choice advocates, think this is horrible, as abortion should always be the sole CHOICE of the woman. These cases should be closely examined, and we should work to making sure all abortions ARE, indeed, the choice of the woman.

Anyway, I could stay on this topic forever, and give many more reasons why we must be VERY careful with any study linking PTSD and abortion, but I'm going to stop now.

nic

As a scientist, remember, a positive correlation never indicates cause and effect.

A lot is made of these 'studies' all over the news. I've had two abortions. REally, the least of the traumatizing things in my life.

Nic,

For some reason, I can't see the smilies but I wanted to give you big applause!!

When a "study" ends on a declarative such as "the industry should be held liable", one can't help but smell a rat. This "study" is so biased I'm almost embarrassed for its authors.

Best,
Rachel (a fellow strong pro-choicer)

From the Lifesite web site: (http://www.lifesitenews.com/aboutlifesite/index.html)

LifeSiteNews.com's writers and its founders, have come to understand that respect for life and family are endangered by an international conflict. That conflict is between radically opposed views of the worth and dignity of every human life and of family life and community. It has been caused by secularists attempting to eliminate Christian morality and natural law principles which are seen as the primary obstacles to implementing their new world order....

...The service was originally started by Campaign Life Coalition (CLC), a Canadian national pro-life organization headquartered in Toronto, Canada. Campaign Life Coalition, founded in 1978, was one of the first pro-life organizations to emphasize the international dimension of attacks on life and family. Along with a few other groups it pioneered pro-life lobbying at United Nations conferences. CLC president, Jim Hughes, is currently also vice-president of the International Right to Life Federation...

Wow...um, I think that just speaks for itself.