Last modified on October 18, 2022, at 19:13

Abortion and depression

Mental health problems - including depression—are associated with abortion:[1][2][3][4][5][6]


“ Based on data extracted from 22 studies, the results of this meta-analytic review of the abortion and mental health literature indicate quite consistently that abortion is associated with moderate to highly increased risks of psychological problems subsequent to the procedure. The magnitude of effects derived varied based on the comparison group (no abortion, pregnancy delivered, unintended pregnancy delivered) and the type of problem examined (alcohol use/misuse, marijuana use, anxiety, depression, suicidal behaviours). Overall, the results revealed that women who had undergone an abortion experienced an 81% increased risk of mental health problems, and nearly 10% of the incidence of mental health problems was shown to be directly attributable to abortion. ”

Supporters of abortion persistently attempt to deny this obvious connection.

The U.S. Supreme Court observed:[7]


“ While we find no reliable data to measure the phenomenon, it seems unexceptionable to conclude some women come to regret their choice to abort the infant life they once created and sustained. See Brief for Sandra Cano et al. as Amici Curiae in No. 05-380, pp 22-24. Severe depression and loss of esteem can follow. See ibid. ”

In popular culture

An analogy to the link between abortion and depression can be found in the novel, The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan. In the story, Ying Ying St. Clair begins to disassociate on and off due to an abusive relationship. During one of her episodes of her zoning out, she accidentally drowns her baby while bathing it. She goes on to suffer long periods of depression afterwards.


References

  1. ↑ Priscilla K. Coleman, “Abortion and Mental Health: Quantitative Synthesis and Analysis of Research Published 1995-2009,” The British Journal of Psychiatry (2011) 199:183.
  2. ↑ http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/getting-pregnant/expert-answers/abortion/faq-20058551
  3. ↑ http://americanpregnancy.org/unplanned-pregnancy/abortion-emotional-effects
  4. ↑ http://www.theunchoice.com/psychological.htm
  5. ↑ https://www.abortionfacts.com/reardon/the-after-effects-of-abortion
  6. ↑ http://afterabortion.org/2011/abortion-risks-a-list-of-major-psychological-complications-related-to-abortion
  7. ↑ Gonzales v. Carhart, 550 U.S. 124, 159 (2007) (emphasis added).