| Hope Pregnancy Center of Central Idaho, Inc. |
| P.A.S. (Post Abortion Syndrome or Stress) |
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43% of American women will have an abortion in their lifetime,
if current rates are sustained. That means abortion is as
common a life experience for women as divorce. (From the
Post-Abortion Peer Counselling Manual)
Does abortion affect a woman psychologically, emotionally, and
spiritually?
if current rates are sustained. That means abortion is as
common a life experience for women as divorce. (From the
Post-Abortion Peer Counselling Manual)
Does abortion affect a woman psychologically, emotionally, and
spiritually?
What do the experts say?
J. Denton Collins, a therapist from Canada says, "P.A.S. is a Post
Traumatic Stress Disorder commonly experienced by women who
have had one or more abortions. Through the process of denial, the
woman has blocked the natural grieving process of the death of her
child and often has denied her responsibility in the abortion. The
denial or suppression blocks the healing process and the possibility
of forgiveness for herself and others. The trauma often
manifests itself as a breakdown of function in the psychological,
physical or spiritual areas."
Traumatic Stress Disorder commonly experienced by women who
have had one or more abortions. Through the process of denial, the
woman has blocked the natural grieving process of the death of her
child and often has denied her responsibility in the abortion. The
denial or suppression blocks the healing process and the possibility
of forgiveness for herself and others. The trauma often
manifests itself as a breakdown of function in the psychological,
physical or spiritual areas."
| Are you suffering from Post Abortion Stress? |
1. Do you feel reluctant to talk about the subject of abortion, or do you feel guilt, anger, or
sorrow when discussing your own abortion?
2. Do you tend to think of your life in terms of "before" and "after" the abortion?
3. Do you have lingering feelings of resentment or anger toward people involved in your
abortion, such as the baby's father, friends, or your parents?
4. Have you found yourself either avoiding relationships or becoming overly dependent on them
since the abortion? Are you overly protective of any children you have now?
5. Have you begun or increased using drugs or alcohol since the abortion, or do you have an
eating disorder?
6. Have you felt a vague sort of emptiness, a deep sense of loss, or had prolonged periods of
depression?
7. Do you sometimes have nightmares, flashbacks, or hallucinations relating to the abortion?
If you answered "yes" to a majority of these questions, you may be suffering from Post
Abortion Stress.
"The symptoms of P.A.S. do not necessarily appear at the same time as the abortion, nor is any
woman or man required to experience the entire list. Some symptoms may occur immediately
after an abortion and others much later." (Help for the Post Abortive Woman, Paul and Teri
Reisser, Crossway Books)
If you feel you may be suffering from P.A.S., please email Hope Pregnancy Center Or you can
reach us by phone at 208-983-0093 or 1-800-416-HOPE (4673) or contact a Pregnancy Care
Center near you. There is hope for you.
sorrow when discussing your own abortion?
2. Do you tend to think of your life in terms of "before" and "after" the abortion?
3. Do you have lingering feelings of resentment or anger toward people involved in your
abortion, such as the baby's father, friends, or your parents?
4. Have you found yourself either avoiding relationships or becoming overly dependent on them
since the abortion? Are you overly protective of any children you have now?
5. Have you begun or increased using drugs or alcohol since the abortion, or do you have an
eating disorder?
6. Have you felt a vague sort of emptiness, a deep sense of loss, or had prolonged periods of
depression?
7. Do you sometimes have nightmares, flashbacks, or hallucinations relating to the abortion?
If you answered "yes" to a majority of these questions, you may be suffering from Post
Abortion Stress.
"The symptoms of P.A.S. do not necessarily appear at the same time as the abortion, nor is any
woman or man required to experience the entire list. Some symptoms may occur immediately
after an abortion and others much later." (Help for the Post Abortive Woman, Paul and Teri
Reisser, Crossway Books)
If you feel you may be suffering from P.A.S., please email Hope Pregnancy Center Or you can
reach us by phone at 208-983-0093 or 1-800-416-HOPE (4673) or contact a Pregnancy Care
Center near you. There is hope for you.