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Hope Pregnancy and Life Skills Center and Clearwater Valley Pregnancy and Life Skills Center |
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P.A.S. (Post Abortion Syndrome or Stress) |
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43% of American women
will have an abortion in their lifetime,
if current rates are sustained. That means abortion is as
common a life experience for women as divorce. (From the
Post-Abortion Peer Counselling Manual)
Does abortion affect a woman psychologically, emotionally, and
spiritually?
if current rates are sustained. That means abortion is as
common a life experience for women as divorce. (From the
Post-Abortion Peer Counselling Manual)
Does abortion affect a woman psychologically, emotionally, and
spiritually?
What do the experts say?
J. Denton Collins, a therapist
from Canada says, "P.A.S. is a Post
Traumatic Stress Disorder commonly experienced by women who
have had one or more abortions. Through the process of denial, the
woman has blocked the natural grieving process of the death of her
child and often 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."
Traumatic Stress Disorder commonly experienced by women who
have had one or more abortions. Through the process of denial, the
woman has blocked the natural grieving process of the death of her
child and often 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."
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Are you suffering
from Post Abortion Stress? |
1. Do you feel reluctant
to talk about the subject of abortion, or do you feel guilt, anger, or
sorrow when discussing your own abortion?
2. Do you tend to think of your life in terms of "before" and "after" the abortion?
3. Do you have lingering feelings of resentment or anger toward people involved in your
abortion, such as the baby's father, friends, or your parents?
4. Have you found yourself either avoiding relationships or becoming overly dependent on them
since the abortion? Are you overly protective of any children you have now?
5. Have you begun or increased using drugs or alcohol since the abortion, or do you have an
eating disorder?
6. Have you felt a vague sort of emptiness, a deep sense of loss, or had prolonged periods of
depression?
7. Do you sometimes have nightmares, flashbacks, or hallucinations relating to the abortion?
If you answered "yes" to a majority of these questions, you may be suffering from Post
Abortion Stress.
"The symptoms of P.A.S. do not necessarily appear at the same time as the abortion, nor is any
woman or man required to experience the entire list. Some symptoms may occur immediately
after an abortion and others much later." (Help for the Post Abortive Woman, Paul and Teri
Reisser, Crossway Books)
If you feel you may be suffering from P.A.S., please contact one of our Centers or a Pregnancy
Care Center near you. There is hope for you.
Hope Pregnancy
and Life Skills Center: (208) 983-0093 or hopepc@camasnet.com
Clearwater Valley Pregnancy Center: (208) 935-0376 or cwvpc@camasnet.com
sorrow when discussing your own abortion?
2. Do you tend to think of your life in terms of "before" and "after" the abortion?
3. Do you have lingering feelings of resentment or anger toward people involved in your
abortion, such as the baby's father, friends, or your parents?
4. Have you found yourself either avoiding relationships or becoming overly dependent on them
since the abortion? Are you overly protective of any children you have now?
5. Have you begun or increased using drugs or alcohol since the abortion, or do you have an
eating disorder?
6. Have you felt a vague sort of emptiness, a deep sense of loss, or had prolonged periods of
depression?
7. Do you sometimes have nightmares, flashbacks, or hallucinations relating to the abortion?
If you answered "yes" to a majority of these questions, you may be suffering from Post
Abortion Stress.
"The symptoms of P.A.S. do not necessarily appear at the same time as the abortion, nor is any
woman or man required to experience the entire list. Some symptoms may occur immediately
after an abortion and others much later." (Help for the Post Abortive Woman, Paul and Teri
Reisser, Crossway Books)
If you feel you may be suffering from P.A.S., please contact one of our Centers or a Pregnancy
Care Center near you. There is hope for you.
Hope Pregnancy
and Life Skills Center: (208) 983-0093 or hopepc@camasnet.com
Clearwater Valley Pregnancy Center: (208) 935-0376 or cwvpc@camasnet.com