If you’ve been experiencing low mood, grief, anxiety, or emotional heaviness following an abortion, you may be searching for words to describe what you’re going through. You might have even wondered: Is this postpartum depression? Can that happen after an abortion?
It’s a question more people are asking — and one that deserves a thoughtful, honest answer. Keep reading to learn more.
What Is Postpartum Depression?
Postpartum depression (PPD) is a severe, long-lasting form of depression that some new moms experience after birth.[1]
Symptoms of postpartum depression can include[1]:
- Depressed mood or severe mood swings
- Crying too much
- Withdrawing from loved ones
- Loss of appetite, or eating much more than usual
- Inability to sleep, or sleeping too much
- Overwhelming tiredness or loss of energy
- Less interest and pleasure in activities
- Intense irritability and anger
- Hopelessness
- Feelings of worthlessness, shame, or guilt
- Reduced ability to think clearly, concentrate or make decisions
- Restlessness
- Severe anxiety and panic attacks
- Recurring thoughts of death or suicide
If you are currently experiencing suicidal thoughts or the urge to harm yourself, call the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 immediately.
So, Can You Get Postpartum Depression After Abortion?
During pregnancy, levels of estrogen and progesterone rise significantly. When the pregnancy ends, for any reason, those hormone levels drop sharply.[2] This rapid hormonal adjustment can affect mood, energy, sleep, and emotional regulation[1], which can sometimes result in depression.
That being said, the clinical term “postpartum depression” only applies to a live birth. However, studies suggest that abortion may lead to mental health issues for some women, including depression.[3][4]
So, while you can’t experience postpartum depression after an abortion, it is still possible to experience depression (or other mental health problems) afterward.
What Does Depression After Abortion Look Like?
Post-abortion depression doesn’t always announce itself clearly. It can look like:
- A sadness that lingers longer than expected
- Feeling disconnected from people you love and activities you once enjoyed
- Intrusive thoughts about the pregnancy or the decision
- Difficulty sleeping, or sleeping too much
- Anxiety that feels hard to explain or name
- Guilt or shame that resurfaces unexpectedly
- Grief that is triggered by anniversaries, milestones, or seemingly unrelated moments
Even if abortion may have felt like the right decision at the time, your pain is real. And real pain deserves real support. It’s important to recognize the warning signs and reach out for help if you think you may be experiencing depression after abortion.
The Weight of Silence
One of the most significant barriers to healing is the silence that surrounds this experience. Depression after abortion can be amplified by stigma. Many people feel they can’t talk about their feelings, or worry they will be judged. This is one of the most important reasons why getting support matters so much.
When there is no safe space to process what happened, emotions don’t simply go away—they go inward. They resurface as anxiety, numbness, or a low-grade sadness that becomes the background noise of daily life. Many people carry this weight for years, sometimes decades, without ever connecting it to their experience.
You don’t have to keep carrying it alone.
Finding Your Way Through
Healing after abortion, including recovering from depression, is possible. It looks different for everyone, but it often involves finding a space where you can speak honestly, without fear of judgment, and begin to process what you’ve been holding.
At Abortion Recovery America, we offer small, confidential support groups led by facilitators who have walked this road themselves. There is no agenda here, no pressure, and no judgment. Just a community of people who understand — because they’ve been there.
Give us a call at (205) 616-9417 to start your healing journey today.
If you’re ready to take the next step in your healing journey, Abortion Recovery America offers confidential support groups for women and men. No matter your story, you’ll find understanding, acceptance, and hope. Learn more about our support groups here.
Sources
- Mayo Clinic. (2022, November 24). Postpartum Depression. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/postpartum-depression/symptoms-causes/syc-20376617
- Hendrick V, Altshuler LL, Suri R. Hormonal changes in the postpartum and implications for postpartum depression. Psychosomatics. 1998;39(2):93-101. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0033318298713556
- Fergusson DM, Horwood LJ, Boden JM. Abortion and mental health disorders: evidence from a 30-year longitudinal study. British Journal of Psychiatry. 2008;193(6):444-451. https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/the-british-journal-of-psychiatry/article/abortion-and-mental-health-disorders-evidence-from-a-30year-longitudinal-study/59A90CBF3A58C58B342CBCFFBBFEBD2E
- Mota, N. P., Burnett, M., & Sareen, J. (2010, April). Associations Between Abortion, Mental Disorders, and Suicidal Behaviour in a Nationally Representative Sample. American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists. https://www.aaplog.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Mota-et-al.pdf