If you’re experiencing difficult emotions after having an abortion, you’re not alone. A current study revealed that many women, especially those who felt pressured into an abortion, experience feelings of depression, guilt, shame, regret, self-hatred, worthlessness, being unworthy of love, low self-esteem, anxiety, and thoughts or attempts of suicide.
If you have any of these feelings, know that hope and healing are possible. Read on to learn strategies that can help you get on a path toward recovery. Or, if you want to talk to someone in person, contact ALC Pregnancy Resource Center to speak to our trained peer counselors for free.
One of the most cathartic, healing actions you can take is to talk about what you’re feeling and what you’ve experienced. Difficult emotions will become overwhelming if they’re kept inside. It’s only when you get them out in the open by talking about them that they become manageable.
When choosing someone to talk to, it’s essential to pick someone you trust. You don’t want someone who will be judgmental or try to give you advice. Instead, you want someone who will listen and let you get these feelings out in the open.
If you can’t think of an individual to talk to who meets these criteria, a counselor or support group are great options that will give you the space to talk and feel understood.
If you don’t feel ready to talk about your feelings and experience with others, journaling can be another way to get your thoughts and feelings out.
Journaling is the simple yet powerful act of writing your thoughts, feelings, and experiences down on paper. No one else will see your journal. It’s a private space where you can be completely honest with what you’re going through.
When thoughts and feelings remain in your head, they can quickly snowball and become too big to manage. But when you write them down on paper, you shrink that overwhelming snowball down to individual snowflakes that are easier to work through.
It can be intimidating to stare at a blank piece of paper and wonder what to write. Here are some ideas to get you started:
Facing difficult feelings and emotions after an abortion can make you feel isolated, lonely, and afraid. But you’re not alone. We understand what you’re going through, and we’re here to help. Healing is possible.
At ALC Pregnancy Resource Center, we offer a safe, non-judgmental environment for you to talk about what you’re going through—individually or in a group setting. Other women have found healing and freedom from the pain of their abortion, and you can too. Contact us today. All our appointments and services are free and confidential.