If you are experiencing difficult or complicated emotions after an abortion, you are not alone. Some women may experience sadness, grief, regret, anger, relief, or a combination of emotions. For others, difficult feelings may surface months or even years later.
There is no single way you are supposed to feel. Whatever you are experiencing, you deserve a safe place to talk about it.
Daybreak LifeCare Center offers confidential post-abortion support for women who are struggling with a past abortion. Whether your abortion was recent or occurred many years ago, it is never too late to reach out for support.
1. Give Yourself Permission to Acknowledge Your Feelings
You may have complicated feelings about your abortion, and those feelings may change over time. Rather than telling yourself how you should or shouldn’t feel, allow yourself to acknowledge what you are experiencing.
You don’t have to have all the answers or understand every emotion right away. Sometimes simply recognizing what you are feeling can be an important first step.
2. Allow Yourself to Grieve If You Need To
Some women experience grief or a sense of loss following an abortion. You may feel unsure whether you have permission to grieve or may be reluctant to talk about your feelings with others.
If you are grieving, you don’t have to hide or dismiss those feelings. Give yourself time and space to work through them in a healthy way.
Grief can look different for everyone, and healing does not follow a particular timetable.
3. Find a Safe Place to Talk
Keeping difficult emotions to yourself can feel isolating. Consider talking with someone you trust who will listen without judgment.
That might be a trusted friend, family member, pastor or church leader, counselor, or another person who can provide compassionate support.
Writing in a journal may also help you put your thoughts and feelings into words and reflect on what you’re experiencing.
4. Consider Additional Support
Sometimes difficult emotions can become overwhelming or interfere with everyday life. If you are experiencing persistent sadness, anxiety, hopelessness, difficulty functioning, or other symptoms that concern you, consider talking with a qualified mental health professional or healthcare provider.
If you are in immediate danger or are thinking about harming yourself, call or text 988 for immediate crisis support.
You Don’t Have to Walk Through This Alone
Daybreak LifeCare Center provides confidential, compassionate post-abortion support in a safe, non-judgmental environment. Our team is here to listen and walk alongside you as you work through your experience.
Our post-abortion support is provided at no cost.
Call 803-771-6634 to talk with someone about the support available through Daybreak.
Sources
Mental Health and Abortion.
American Psychological Association.
https://www.apa.org/topics/abortion/mental-health
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/988