Post Abortion Stress Syndrome (PASS) - by Johan Obbes

Every day we as counsellors hear some of the most heart breaking stories in our counselling rooms. Most of these painful experiences has never been told to another human being, and regardless of whether the person felt they are going against their own sense of right or wrong, many women who have had an abortion are not able to identify, much less grieve their loss. Today I want to dedicate this article to the amazing women who had the courage to open their hearts and share their pain, shame and very difficult journey with me on how they lived through an abortion.

The topic of Post Abortion Stress Syndrome brings about great controversy among pro-life and pro-choice groups everywhere. In fact, there is still much debate regarding whether this problem actually exists, as some fear this may only be a syndrome invented by pro-life groups in an attempt to hinder further abortions; others claim they themselves have experienced this problem. Still, other groups of people recognize PASS as a problem but believe it is very rare and mention that giving up a child for adoption would seem to be more traumatic than a typical abortion.

This article is not on the topic of pro-life or pro-choice, but is a highlight on the fact that we as counsellors meet our clients where they are at. We as counsellors do not judge, and NEVER force our opinions or belief systems on any client, yet we need to be prepared with empathy and respect to our clients for whatever experience might present itself in our counselling sessions.

The term Post Abortion Stress Syndrome is not known by a lot of people, yet I have seen the damage this can do to a women who was coerced into termination her pregnancy. Post-Abortion Stress Syndrome, abbreviated as PAS or PASS is a form of trauma which can occur in a women after she has had an abortion. It has also been called post traumatic abortion syndrome. Many women experience brief feelings of sadness or guilt after having an abortion. Women with PASS experience these feelings for a long period of time, and some even struggle with it for years after the abortion. These symptoms also often interrupt their everyday lives and can lead to more severe symptoms. This disorder is often compared to post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a disorder which is often noticed in military veterans and survivors of traumatic events, and the symptoms of these two disorders are very similar . (See the article on our blog for the 5^th May 2011 on PTSD)

To date I have seen from personal experience that clients who suffered the most from PASS were the ones who was coerced into having an abortion. I find that some women were more susceptible to PASS and aspects which highlighted a pattern for me in various women who suffered from it were those who:

-          Felt pressured into termination the pregnancy

-          Did not consider many different choices

-          Has strong religious views

-          Did not have her baby because it would have a birth defect

-          Did not receive counselling before or after the abortion

-          Was not well informed about the abortion

-          Recognizes that a fetus is a human

-          Rushed and did not give her decision much thought

Symptoms of PASS may not occur immediately after one has had an abortion. In many cases, numbness will overcome a women and the feelings of an abortion will be held back for months or even years. Some women however can live their entire lives and feel perfectly fine after having an abortion. Triggers which may initiate PASS in a women after having an abortion include seeing another pregnant women, certain smells or sounds, marriage, or the anniversary date of the abortion.

Who have had an abortion often feel uncomfortable or ashamed to talk about their experience and thus never seek trauma treatment. These women deserve to find recovery, instead of suffering in loneliness. Symptoms of PASS are often very difficult to manage and can involve a variety of risky behaviours. Intensity of these symptoms varies from person to person and symptoms include:

-          Guilt feelings

-          Inability to function normal at school or work

-          Nightmares, panic attacks, anxiety

-          Thoughts of suicide, self harm or suicide attempts

-          Sudden phobias (pre-existing phobias can also escalate after the abortion)

-          Poor quality of sleep

-          Increase in dangerous and/or unhealthy activities (Drug and alcohol abuse, anorexia/bulimia/compulsive overeating, cutting or risk taking behaviours)

-          Irritability, numbness, flashbacks

-          Relationship complications

-          Constant crying

-          A desire to immediately get pregnant and “replace” the baby that was aborted, even when all the circumstances that led her to terminate the pregnancy the first time are still in place.

-          Overprotective of future children

-          Depression that is stronger than just a little “sadness or blues”

-          Inability to function around babies or pregnant women

-          Codependence and Inability to make decisions or perform normal self-care activities

Relief is the most common reaction immediately following an abortion. But as time goes on, you may have trouble dealing with the loss you feel. One of the most difficult challenges in the grieving process is that you have no external evidence that you baby ever existed – no pictures no memorabilia. You may not believe that you have the right to grieve the loss that you “chose” to suffer.

Whatever the reasons to the sufferer, we as counsellors need to remember that we are here to help our clients to process through the emotions. We are not here to judge in any way. We are here to facilitate the process of healing and help our clients to come to that place again of peace with themselves, others and God.

Written by Johan Obbes - Exerts have been taken from Wikipedia.org