If you’ve had an abortion—whether recently or years ago—and are experiencing difficult emotions, you’re not alone. The Journal of American Physicians and Surgeons found that almost 75% of women who had an abortion felt at least subtly pressured into making the decision. And of these women who felt pressured into abortion, many suffered psychological effects afterward, including:
If you’re struggling emotionally after having an abortion, hope and healing are possible. Read on to learn strategies you can take to recover emotionally after an abortion. Or, if you want to talk to someone in person, contact ALC today to be connected to one of our caring team members.
When you keep your emotions bottled up inside, they can feel overwhelming. However, letting your emotions out can allow you to work through them—and they will eventually feel easier to manage.
Writing your feelings in a journal is one way to let your emotions out. A journal is a private space where you can be completely honest with what you’re going through without fear of judgment. To get started, it can help to write your answers to the following questions:
Writing in your journal can provide an important foundation to begin your healing journey, but talking to someone can take you further.
When choosing someone to talk to, you want to ensure you trust them and they won’t pass judgment. Talking to a counselor or support group can be beneficial if you don’t know anyone personally. A counselor or support group will allow you to share your feelings and experiences in a non-judgmental, compassionate space.
At ALC, we offer post-abortion care and support led by our trained peer counselors. Contact us today to get started on a path toward healing and find hope in the process. You’re not alone in this. We’re here for you, and recovery is possible.