What is Post Abortion Syndrome (P.A.S.)?

"Post Abortion Syndrome" or P.A.S. is a term being used by more and more professionals to describe a wide range of symptoms that are related to a previous experience of abortion.

Symptoms of P.A.S.

Physical

	intense distress with reminders (vacuums, babies, pregnant women)
	inability to sleep
	recurring dreams or nightmares
	alcohol or drug abuse
	eating disorders

Emotional

	flashbacks
	avoidance of thoughts of the abortion
	amnesia concerning the abortion or parts of the abortion
	severe clinical depression
	suicidal behaviour
	loss of self-esteem
	guilt and shame

Spiritual

loss of relationship with God

Social

	problems with intimacy and sex
	aggressiveness and anger

Is It Common?

Based on the following quotes, we can see how common post-abortion grief can be.  The higher the incidence of abortion, the more likely we are to see people suffering from this syndrome.

	Dr. David Reardon.  Ph. D., a biomedical ethicist, Director of the Elliot Institute and editor of the Post-Abortion Review, conducted a survey in 1994 on the psychological reactions reported after abortion.  His results reveal that 94% of women experience negative emotional consequences.
	According to Dr. Philip Ney, M.D., clinical professor, faculty of medicine, University of British Columbia, "...approximately one-quarter to one-third of all pregnancies in Canada are aborted..."