I Had an Abortion

CPC exists to offer help and hope.

If you have had an abortion and would like someone to talk to, CPC has trained volunteers who would love to listen to your experience. We offer ongoing support in group sessions or one-on-one peer counseling. This gives you a safe place to talk about your experience, your hurts, your questions and your feelings. Everything you share is kept strictly confidential. You can meet others who may be having the same thoughts and feelings you are. You are not alone, no matter how afraid or ashamed you may feel. You deserve to move on. You deserve healing. Call our 24-hour helpline at 704-867-3706 to talk with a trained volunteer today.

Symptoms of Post-Abortion Syndrome

Post-Abortion Syndrome (PAS) describes a woman’s inability to:

  1. process the fear, anger, sadness and guilt surrounding her abortion experience
  2. grieve the loss of her baby, and
  3. come to peace with God, herself and others involved in the abortion decision.

Am I Suffering From PAS?

These questions are based on the experiences of women who have had abortions. In reading through these questions, be aware of any emotional or physical response you may have and record them. Answering these questions honestly will put you in touch with areas of your life that have been affected by abortion.

  • Do you struggle to turn off your feelings about your abortion(s), even telling yourself to forget it over and over again?
  • Do physical reminders of your abortion such as babies, pregnant women, baby clothes, etc. affect you?
  • Does the anniversary date of your abortion or the would be due date of your baby send you into depression or sickness?
  • When abortion is mentioned in public, do you find your body reacting physically, i.e. tightened stomach muscles, clenched jaw or holding your breath?
  • Do you find yourself avoiding books, magazines, and television programs that deal with the subject of abortion? Do you change the subject in conversations that deal with the topic of abortion?
  • Is your present situation one that could find you facing another unwanted pregnancy?
  • Have you experienced a substantial increase in drug or alcohol use, or in any other self-destructive behaviors (eating disorders, abusive relationships, or increased sexual activity)?
  • Have you experienced periods of prolonged depression or suicidal thoughts?
  • Do you experience nightmares, flashbacks, hallucinations, or any other peculiar reaction relating to your abortion experience?
  • Are you able to talk about your abortion without being overcome with strong feelings?
  • Do you fear you will never be able to have children?
  • Do you view life in terms of “before” and “after” your abortion?
  • Do you strive to prove that sacrificing your baby was really worth it through over-achieving in your career, relationships, etc.?
  • Do you find yourself rationalizing why you are better off without that child in your life today?
  • Did your attitude towards relationships change? Do you find yourself avoiding relationships or become more dependent in them? Do you have difficulty with intimacy?
  • Do you attempt to “smother” your children with your love, or do you “abuse” them?
  • Do you feel compelled to conceal your abortion(s) from certain people in your life?
  • Are you preoccupied with thoughts of death and dying or with thoughts of your aborted child?
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