A new study published in the British Journal of Psychiatry finds that—as pro lifers have long insisted—women who have abortions experience high rates of psychological problems. From the Telegraph story:
Women who have abortions are at risk of severe mental health problems, new research has found. The study showed that those who undergo abortion face nearly double the risk of mental health difficulties compared with others and that one in ten of all mental health problems was a result of an abortion.
Ten percent of all mental health problems are abortion related? That’s huge. And the study involved a review of the experiences of nearly a million women:
Professor Coleman’s study was based on an analysis of 22 separate projects which analysed the experiences of a total of 877,000 women, of whom 163,831 had had an abortion.
Here’s Abstract conclusion:
This review offers the largest quantitative estimate of mental health risks associated with abortion available in the world literature. Calling into question the conclusions from traditional reviews, the results revealed a moderate to highly increased risk of mental health problems after abortion. Consistent with the tenets of evidence-based medicine, this information should inform the delivery of abortion services.
Indeed, failing to disclose the potential for mental health problems post abortion in the informed consent process should constitute medical malpractice.
