According to the best current estimates, of women in child-bearing age in the United States, 1 in 3 have suffered at least one abortion. Are you in this group or do you know someone who is? While we can't turn the clock back and change history, please call us if you need help.  Post Abortion Syndrome is a Post Traumatic Stress Disorder commonly experienced by women who have had one or more abortions. Through the process of denial, the women has blocked the natural grieving process for the death of her child and has denied her responsibility in the abortion. The denial or suppression blocks the healing process and the possibility of forgiveness for herself and others. The Trauma often manifests itself as a breakdown of function in the psychological, physical or spiritual areas.


What is Post Abortion syndrome (PAS)?

  1. Common Symptoms of PAS
  2. How can women recover from PAS?
  3. Do others suffer from PAS?
  4. The Four goals of Post Abortion Counseling
  5. The Nine Stages of Post Abortion Counseling

Common Symptoms of PAS

Anxiety, Regret/ Guilt, Sadness, Feelings of Loss, Drugs and Alcohol Abuse, Repeat Abortion, Desire for secrecy about abortion, Nightmares, Sexual Dysfunction, Suicidal Impulses, Self-Destructive Behavior, Inability to sustain an intimate relationship, Hatred towards anyone connected with abortion,  Blunting of emotional affect, Anger/ Rage, Severe Emotional Pain

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How can women recover from PAS?

POST ABORTION SYNDROME COUNSELING is a caring and supportive aid to women in accepting reality, processing grief, and receiving forgiveness for guilt. All psychological traumas have a residual effect, but the effect can be minimized if the trauma is recognized as reality, accepted, and worked through. Dr. James Dobson, noted Christian psychologist states: "The first step to mental health is the acceptance of reality."

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Do Others suffer from PAS?

Beyond the negative impact on women, abortion can also leave scars on men, parents, grandparents, sisters, brothers, and friends.  Men seem to suffer more GUILT when they know that "somehow they could have prevented the abortion."
 
 OR
 
 ANGER is more intense if they were "against the abortion."  Relationships with other family members become strained as feelings of loss and grief are suppress. Often the pattern is that relatives distance themselves from the aborted women.
 
 These victims too can recover with help of the Nine Steps of Post Abortion
 Counseling.

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The Four Goals of Post Abortion Counseling

  1. Education about PAS & Determining personal abortion "connectors"
  2. Releasing suppressed emotional pain & anger
  3. Restoring broken relationships- human & spiritual
  4. Establishing a relationship with the aborted child & learning self-help techniques

 

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The Nine Stages of Post Abortion Counseling

  1. The Pre-Pregnant Women
  2. The Pregnancy
  3. The Abortion Decision
  4. The Abortion
  5. Accommodation & Symptoms
  6. Anger Resolved
  7. Forgiveness & Reconciliation
  8. Establishing a Relationship with the baby
  9. Going on with Life

 

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Revised: 05/29/07.