A condition called Post-Abortion Syndrome often affects women after an abortion. It is similar to the Post-Traumatic Stress Syndrome people experience after experiencing extremely stressful situations (like witnessing a murder, war or rape). Generally the condition occurs two to five years after the abortion, but it may happen immediately or 10 or more years after the abortion.
The condition’s results are a variety of negative, self-destructive behaviors including:
- Despair, helplessness, hopelessness
- Unhealthy/abusive relationships
- Sexual dysfunction
- Depression
- Low self-esteem
- Guilt and/or shame
- Drug and/or alcohol abuse
- Frequent crying
- Eating disorders
- Nightmares
- Suicidal thoughts, threats and attempts and/or a preoccupation with death