hard questions - answers to the issues

Is abortion a good long-term solution?

How does abortion on demand impact the mental health of women? That’s the question a group of researchers set out to answer in a landmark study entitled “State-Funded Abortions Versus Deliveries: A Comparison of Outpatient Mental Health Claims Over Four Years” published in the fall of 2002 by the American Journal of Orthopsychiatry.

The results? Women who have abortions are 17% more likely to suffer mental health problems as compared to women who carry their pregnancies to term.

Here is a snapshot look at specific results:
- Within the first 90 days after the pregnancy the abortion group had 63% more mental health claims than the birth group
- In subsequent time periods the abortion group consistently had a higher percentage of mental health claims than the birth group: 42% (180 days), 30% (one year), and 16% (two years)
- Women in the abortion group had significantly higher rates of treatment for bipolar disorder, neurotic depression, and schizophrenic disorder.
- Women in the abortion group had higher rates of treatment for anxiety, drug and alcohol abuse.

Unfortunately most women who consider abortion are never told about the mental trauma that abortion can cause. If you know someone considering abortion, please take the time to share the findings of this recent study with her.

You can learn more about this study and other post-abortion issues at the Elliott Institute website located at www.afterabortion.org