828.403.6477
ph: 828.403.6477
Post-Abortion Syndrome is very much like Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Many of the symptoms are the same and overlap each other, affirming what many post-abortive women already know, having an abortion may be one of the most traumatic events that a person can live through. It may cause tremendous mental, emotional, spiritual, psychological and often physical pain and discomfort for it's victims, and can have long lasting impact on one's life.
Following is a list of the symptoms associated with PAS, put a check by the ones that are apparent in your life right now, or in the life of someone close or dear to you:
____Flashbacks or re-enactments of the abortion
____Sad and Depressed Mood
____Frequent crying spells over seemingly "nothing"
____Reduced motivation or energy to get through the day
____Loss of interest in hobbies and/or personal interests
____Poor and deteriorating self esteem and self image
____Disruption in sleep, insomnia
____Suicidal or Homicidal thoughts or plans
____Disrupted Interpersonal Relationships
____Extreme guilt or shame regarding your abortion
____Extreme fears of your secret being revealed
____Guilt that is constant and unrelenting
____Anxiety symptoms including some of the following:
____Psychological numbing
____Nightmares relating to abortion/lost baby themes
____Increased symptoms revolving around the anniversary of the abortion, or when the birth of your baby was expected
____Preoccupation with being pregnant again/fertility
____Extreme survivor guilt
____Eating disorders (including anorexia--severe limiting of caloric intake and/or excessive exercising, bulimia--binge eating and then forced vomitting to rid body of food, or over-eating and eating when not hungry)
____Alcohol or drug abuse to avoid thinking of the abortion
____Self Punishing behaviors, such as mutilation--cutting oneself, or other destructive behaviors
____Frequent, meaningless sexual activity and/or promiscuity
____Brief Reactive Psychosis--being out of touch with reality, such as having visual or auditory hallucinations
____Difficulty bonding with or interacting with your other children
____Avoidance of pregnancy related events, such as friends or family members that are pregnant, pregnant strangers, baby showers, or maternity wards in hospitals
____Avoidance of vacuum cleaners or noises that remind you of your abortion
If you would like to print out a copy of the assessment to hold, check and study, you may do so HERE
Check out this wonderful video about people who use Art Therapy to heal themselves from/cope with PTSD, it is very inspiring, and something I believe in strongly!
You do not have to have every symptom on this list to have Post-Abortion Syndrome. If you have three or more of the symptoms listed here, as they relate to a terminated pregnancy, it is highly probable that you are dealing with this disorder, which should be affirmed by a professional.
Now what? You may be wondering... what does this mean for me? It means that you have had an abortion, or other serious traumatic event, which is now causing you severe emotional and psychological pain.
You don't have to continue living in this type of discomfort and pain--there is help here for you, or your loved one. Until you receive help, though, and identify what the core of your difficulties are, you may continue to suffer seriously as these symptoms are progressive, usually getting worse over time. You may ignore them, hoping they will go away on their own, but that rarely happens. As you can see from the list, abortion affects every single area of your life, every single relationship that you have, and every single day of your life.
If you are in pain from an abortion choice, and feel that you are ready to reach out for help at this point, I sincerely hope that you will call me for your FREE 30-minute consultation. There is absolutely no obligation, and you will be able to decide for yourself, if you think that I will be able to help you work through this very delicate and painful problem. I encourage you to give me a call, your journey to healing can start today, right here, right now---I'm looking forward to hearing from you.
-Kim
828.403.6477
or
1kollis1@gmail.com
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