The after-effects of abortion

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Pass has, however, not been approved or registered as a psychological condition.

According to Sharon Rushton, founder and director of Life Link Pregnancy Crisis Centre, women think that abortion is a quick fix solution.

“We educate women and teach them that abortion is not the only solution, but that there are alternatives.

“They don’t realise that they are exchanging one problem for the next. Any event that causes trauma can result in PTSD, and abortion is no exception. Research shows that it could take up to five years for the signs of Pass to surface,” she says.

Sharon says that the clinic offers post-abortion counselling to women as old as 70 years, who have still not come to terms with the trauma of abortions they had years ago.

According to Dr Susanne Babbel, a psychotherapist with a Master’s Degree in psychology, symptoms of Pass may include any of the following: guilt, anxiety, numbness, depression and suicidal thoughts.

“While abortion can induce post-traumatic stress in some, others will suffer no repercussions at all. However, women who are okay with having an abortion are more likely to talk about their experience than women who are ashamed and regretful,” she says.

Sharon adds that the number of women having abortions is unequal to the number of women going for pre- and post-abortion counselling.

“There is a stigma attached to having an abortion. This is the reason why many women are not speaking about it. They have flashbacks and nightmares, while suffering at times from eating disorders while suffering in silence,” she says.

Sharon adds that the clinic does not practice abortions, because they are aware of how traumatic the experience is for women. They do, however, offer pre- and post-abortion counselling.

“We at Life Link offer 16 weeks of two-hour counselling sessions.”

If you would like to receive counselling, or have any queries on Pass, you may contact Life Link on 083 562 6106.