Mental and Social Health Risks of Abortion Joe Emmerich Text Evaluation

Abortion Is Not A Quick Fix ! “Abortions were supposed to be a “quick fix” for my problems, but they didn’t tell me there is no “quick fix” for regret. I went to a psychiatric hospital and they gave me shock treatments. They didn’t help. The nightmare continued. I became a workaholic. Work didn’t help. I became a compulsive eater. Food didn’t help. I became an anorexic as another form of self- punishment. That came close to killing me, I had two strokes. I tried alcohol. It helped temporarily. The torment would still be there when I woke up.” “Abortions were supposed to be a “quick fix” for my problems, but they didn’t tell me there is no “quick fix” for regret. I went to a psychiatric hospital and they gave me shock treatments. They didn’t help. The nightmare continued. I became a workaholic. Work didn’t help. I became a compulsive eater. Food didn’t help. I became an anorexic as another form of self- punishment. That came close to killing me, I had two strokes. I tried alcohol. It helped temporarily. The torment would still be there when I woke up.” Judith Evans

Why Should Post Abortion Mental Health Be Addressed in Our Text? At current rates, 35% of American women will have had an abortion by the age of 45 At current rates, 35% of American women will have had an abortion by the age of 45 Nearly half of all American pregnancies are unintended and 40% of these end in an abortion. Nearly half of all American pregnancies are unintended and 40% of these end in an abortion. National Right to Life 22% of all U.S. pregnancies (excluding miscarriages) end in abortion. This equals approximately 1.3 million a year. 22% of all U.S. pregnancies (excluding miscarriages) end in abortion. This equals approximately 1.3 million a year. Guttmacher Institute

Abortion Is Linked to Contraception 92% of women who have an abortion have used a method of birth control prior to their abortion 92% of women who have an abortion have used a method of birth control prior to their abortion 54% of American women who have an abortion have used a contraceptive method during the month they become pregnant 54% of American women who have an abortion have used a contraceptive method during the month they become pregnant Guttmacher Institute

How does abortion effect women? Women who had an abortion have a 98% increase for one or more mental health disorders as compared to women who did not have an abortion. Women who had an abortion have a 98% increase for one or more mental health disorders as compared to women who did not have an abortion. In addition, women who had an abortion have an increased risk of social and relationship problems including substance abuse, divorce and child abuse In addition, women who had an abortion have an increased risk of social and relationship problems including substance abuse, divorce and child abuse Elliot Institute

Mental Health Risks

Suicide and Suicidal Thoughts 60% of women report suicidal thoughts after abortion 60% of women report suicidal thoughts after abortion 6% of all suicidal thought cases in the United States can be attributed to abortions 6% of all suicidal thought cases in the United States can be attributed to abortions 28% of women have one or more suicide attempt after abortion 28% of women have one or more suicide attempt after abortion Suicide rate within one year after abortion is 6 times higher than for women carrying their baby to term Suicide rate within one year after abortion is 6 times higher than for women carrying their baby to term Elliot Institute

Substance Abuse 25% of cases of drug use in the U.S. are believed to be related to abortion 25% of cases of drug use in the U.S. are believed to be related to abortion Canadian Journal of Psychiatry 280% increased risk for any substance abuse disorder 280% increased risk for any substance abuse disorder Five-fold increased risk of drug abuse (in those who had no previous history of drug abuse) Five-fold increased risk of drug abuse (in those who had no previous history of drug abuse) 261% increased risk of alcohol abuse 261% increased risk of alcohol abuse Twice as likely to become heavy smokers (and suffer the corresponding health risks) Twice as likely to become heavy smokers (and suffer the corresponding health risks) Elliot Institute

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) At least 19% of women suffer from diagnosable PTSD after abortion At least 19% of women suffer from diagnosable PTSD after abortion Approximately 50% of women had many but not all symptoms of PTSD Approximately 50% of women had many but not all symptoms of PTSD 20%-40% showed moderate to high levels of stress and avoidance behavior related to their abortion experience 20%-40% showed moderate to high levels of stress and avoidance behavior related to their abortion experience Elliot Institute

Eating Disorders Post abortion stress is associated with: Post abortion stress is associated with: –Binge eating –Bulimia –Anorexia nervosa Elliot Institue

Sexual Dysfunction 30%-50% of women report sexual dysfunction following abortion including: 30%-50% of women report sexual dysfunction following abortion including: –Promiscuity –Loss of pleasure from intercourse –Increased pain –Aversion to sex and/or men Elliot Institute

Other mental health risks after abortion 167% increase rate higher for bipolar 167% increase rate higher for bipolar Journal of Psychiatric Research 65% increase risk of clinical depression 65% increase risk of clinical depression Medical Science Monitor 61% increased risk for mood disorder 61% increased risk for mood disorder 61% increased risk for social anxiety disorder 61% increased risk for social anxiety disorder Canadian Journal of Psychiatry 59% increased risk for suicidal thoughts 59% increased risk for suicidal thoughts 44% increased rate of panic attacks 44% increased rate of panic attacks 30% higher risk of generalized anxiety disorder Journal of Anxiety Disorder 30% higher risk of generalized anxiety disorder Journal of Anxiety Disorder

Social and Relationship Problems

Divorce and Chronic Relationship Problems Couples are more likely to divorce or separate following abortion Couples are more likely to divorce or separate following abortion Many women develop a greater difficulty forming lasting bonds with a male partner following abortion, resulting in shorter relationships and more divorces Many women develop a greater difficulty forming lasting bonds with a male partner following abortion, resulting in shorter relationships and more divorces Elliot Institute

Child Abuse 144% more likely to abuse their children 144% more likely to abuse their children Increase in child abuse likely related to: Increase in child abuse likely related to: –Increased depression –Violent behavior –Alcohol and drug abuse –Replacement pregnancies –Reduced maternal bonding with children Elliot Institute

Post-Abortion Counseling Rachel’s Vineyard Rachel’s Vineyard – –877-HOPE 4 ME Pro-Life America Pro-Life America – –

Work Cited Page DC Reardon et al, “Death Associated With Pregnancy outcome: Record Linkage Study of Low Income Women,” Southern Medical Journal 95(8) Aug Mota, NP et al., “Associations Between Abortion, Mental Disorders and Suicidal Behavior in a Nationally Reprsentative Sample,” The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry 55(4): (April 2010) 6. Coleman, PK et. al., “Induced abortion and anxiety, mood, and substance abuse disorders: Isolating the effects of abortion in the national co morbidity survey, “ Journal of Psychiatric Research (2008), doi /j.jpshchires DC Reardon, JR Cougle “Depression Associated With Abortion and Child birth: A Long Term Analysis of the NYLS Cohort,” Medical Science Monitor 9(4): CR , JR Cougle, DC Reardon, PK Coleman, “General Anxiety Following Uninteded Resolved through Child birth or Abortion: A Cohort Study of the 1995 National Survey of Family Growth,” Journal of Anxiety Disorder 19: ,2005