|
If you have had an abortion(s), you may be suffering from
post-abortion stress. Answering the following questions can help you figure out
how the abortion(s) may have effected your life.
1 Do you find yourself struggling to turn off
feelings or memories related to your abortion(s)?
1 Do you need to keep reminding yourself to
just forget it or put it behind you?
1 Do you become uncomfortable around
reminders of the abortion, such as being around babies, pregnant women, doctor's
offices, or when hearing news reports about abortion?
1 Do you feel nervous or anxious at the idea
of telling a loved one about your abortion?
1 Is your abortion a secret that is holding
you back from greater intimacy with others?
1 If you do choose to share your abortion
experience with others, are you overcome with strong feelings such as anger,
sorrow, grief, or guilt?
1 Do you have trouble talking about the
abortion issue as a political issue? When you do talk about it, do you find it
hard to respect opposing views, or do you becoming overly emotional, either in
support of or opposition to it?
1 Do you have an unhealthy sense of fear that
you, your loved ones, or your other children will be hurt or killed?
1 Are you "smothering" or overly protective
of your children?
1 Do you tend to look at life in terms of
"before" and "after" the abortion(s)?
1 Has the
abortion changed the way you look at yourself? Are there traits about yourself
before the abortion that you lost but would wish to regain in your life?
1 Do you become angry or depressed more
easily?
1 Have you experienced "reconnectors" to your
abortion, such as nightmares, flashbacks, or hallucinations, such as hearing a
baby cry?
1 Was there a period after your abortion when
you experienced an increase in the use of alcohol or drugs (illegal or
prescription)? Have you experienced other forms of emotional deadening?
1 Have you experienced any suicidal thoughts?
Do you take risks that put your life in danger? Do you try to hurt yourself?
1 Have you developed any eating disorders?
1 Have you lost interest in taking care of
yourself? Do you care about how you look? Have you tried to become less
attractive to avoid the risk of becoming involved in a relationship, love, and
sex?
1 Do you get involved in hurtful or abusive
relationships? Do you tolerate abuse because you don't feel you deserve any
better?
1 Is there tension between you and others
because the abortion is something everyone avoids talking about?
1 Have you lost the desire for sexual
intercourse? Do you have increased pain during intercourse?
1 Have you become promiscuous because of low
self-esteem?
Have you lost your desire to have children?
1 Do you experience periods of depression,
heightened anxiety, or cramping during certain months of the year, particularly
during the months that would correspond to the month of your abortion(s) or the
due date of the aborted pregnancy?
1 Have you lost your faith? Have you lost a
sense of God's peace? Do you think God still loves you? Are you afraid of God?
If you are experiencing any of the above problems, post-abortion counseling may
help. Skilled and understanding people want to help. Please call our office
(505)722-7125 to set up a counseling appointment or an individualized abortion
recovery workshop.
BACK TO POST-ABORTION HOMEPAGE
| 
