Abortion, mental health link examined in study
Issue date: 3/26/08 Section: News
Women who receive abortions may suffer adverse mental health effects, a group of British psychiatrists claims, and some anti-abortion advocates are declaring the study a victory for their cause.
Although the Royal College of Psychiatrists said the evidence for a link between induced abortions and mental health risks is inconclusive, it did not rule out the possibility of a connection in its study.
The college, which is the professional and educational body for psychiatrists in the United Kingdom and Ireland, is urging physicians to perform full-psychiatric assessments of women seeking abortions, at least until further review of the facts has been done.
"The study confirmed what we know to be true," said Janet Morana, associate director of Priests for Life. "Many of these women after their abortions suffer greatly, both physically and mentally."
Morana is the co-founder of Silent No More, a campaign that encourages women to give public and online testimonies of their regrets after having an abortion. Men are also welcome to give testimonies regretting their "lost fatherhood," she said.
"When [women] go to the abortion clinic they're told this is a simple procedure," said Morana. "Unfortunately, women will tell you that after their abortion they felt that something was terribly wrong. They realized they killed their babies."
The Royal College of Psychiatrists's statement specifically encouraged informed consent for women considering abortion. Informed consent, however, may be harmful if it is an impersonal requirement of all abortion procedures, the statement said.
NARAL Pro-Choice Massachusetts Executive Director Andrea Miller said medical and psychiatric communities agree there is no definitive indication that women who receive abortions suffer adverse mental health effects.
Miller said she recommends women showing signs of abortion-related mental disorders and women who have pre-existing psychiatric disorders receive appropriate care and support.
Although the Royal College of Psychiatrists said the evidence for a link between induced abortions and mental health risks is inconclusive, it did not rule out the possibility of a connection in its study.
The college, which is the professional and educational body for psychiatrists in the United Kingdom and Ireland, is urging physicians to perform full-psychiatric assessments of women seeking abortions, at least until further review of the facts has been done.
"The study confirmed what we know to be true," said Janet Morana, associate director of Priests for Life. "Many of these women after their abortions suffer greatly, both physically and mentally."
Morana is the co-founder of Silent No More, a campaign that encourages women to give public and online testimonies of their regrets after having an abortion. Men are also welcome to give testimonies regretting their "lost fatherhood," she said.
"When [women] go to the abortion clinic they're told this is a simple procedure," said Morana. "Unfortunately, women will tell you that after their abortion they felt that something was terribly wrong. They realized they killed their babies."
The Royal College of Psychiatrists's statement specifically encouraged informed consent for women considering abortion. Informed consent, however, may be harmful if it is an impersonal requirement of all abortion procedures, the statement said.
NARAL Pro-Choice Massachusetts Executive Director Andrea Miller said medical and psychiatric communities agree there is no definitive indication that women who receive abortions suffer adverse mental health effects.
Miller said she recommends women showing signs of abortion-related mental disorders and women who have pre-existing psychiatric disorders receive appropriate care and support.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Talulah
posted 3/26/08 @ 9:15 AM EST
I'm not quite sure how this vindicates the anti-choice message - this is one study. There are dozens of studies that indicate the exact opposite.
Coincidentally, I've also known people who regret breast augmentation surgery, gall bladder removal, and a whole host of other surgeries - and they've gotten depressed over it. (Continued…)
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