Abortion and PTSD

• Shame, Guilt and the Psychological Sequelae of Abortion in Male Partners by Michael Simon, 12/15/96
  • Abortion & PTSD by (No author), 12/16/96
    
    

Thanks for taking the time to respond. A pity your response was anonymous, though! My experience matches yours in that women rarely present to clinics or private psychotherapists with post-abortion concerns. Since the negative sequelae of abortion is mostly measured in terms of presentation for treatment and diagnosable disorders, it is no wonder that most studies show "...no significant negative sequelae of abortion." Personally, I think this is a matter of looking in the 'wrong place' for the significant effects of abortion for both men and women. While I have no doubt, as Dr. Nathanson confirms by his own clinical experience, that many feel relief as a predominant post-abortion emotion, this by no means rules out significant post-abortion effects as seen in modified interpersonal relations, formation of pathogenic beliefs (in the words of Control-Mastery theory), and disruptions of engagement. Let's keep talking if you wish....

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