Earlier depression in women who had abortions, More research urged

RFFM.org ^ | July 26, 2006 | Daniel T. Zanoza

[Daniel T. Zanoza]

In 1973 the United State Supreme Court created a woman's "right" to an abortion in a ruling titled, "Roe v. Wade." Many legal scholars believed the court's ruling was based on what was, at best, shaky legal ground. For example, the Constitutional right to privacy is still debated by many legal experts who say such rights are not clearly defined within the U.S. Constitution. Also, lawyers who presented the case for legalized abortion simply lied concerning statistical data they presented to the nation's highest court. It was said thousands of women had died as a result of "botched back-alley abortions" before 1973. This has been proven not to be true and, in reality, the number of women who died while accessing illegal abortion providers was a miniscule percentage of the total reported by pro-abortion activists. However, during the 33 years since the Roe v. Wade landmark ruling, information that presents abortion in a much less favorable light has been kept from the American people. Incidents on abortion-related fatalities are rarely, if ever, reported on in the mainstream press. Abortion's relationship to breast cancer is also an issue that has seen little or no attention from the media and, sadly, even less consideration from the medical community, even though many statistically significant studies prove the link between abortion and breast cancer is very real.

But there are even more subtle problems experienced by women who have had abortions that have completely fallen under the public's radar. It has been proven many women who abort their babies ultimately suffer depression, often brought on by guilt and remorse. However, this onset of depression, in the past, usually manifested itself seven to fifteen years after the abortion procedure. Counselors who work with women who have had abortions are now reporting this depression is occurring much earlier.

"We are being contacted by women one day, one week, one month, etc. after their abortion experience," said Elizabeth Verchio, Executive Director, Victims of Choice (www.victimsofchoice.org). "Traditionally, it is 7 to 15 years after an abortion before a woman will call a ministry like Victims Of Choice. All abortion recovery programs are designed for an older, more mature woman who had an abortion 7 to 15 years ago, therefore, having lived for many years in denial with negative thoughts and with destructive lifestyles to varying degrees, etc." Verchio added. "Now, we are talking to women who have not experienced the numbing effects of denial, but are in severe pain. One woman said her pain was so raw everything I said to her hurt. These women are fully aware of their loss and responsibility in causing the loss."

As a layman, I have a theory why this onset of depression may be impacting women sooner in their lives. There have been many breakthroughs in prenatal care, including the introduction of medical tools like ultrasound. The public has now become fully aware the babies inside the wombs of women are human beings. They smile, they frown, they kick and, sadly, they experience pain. Women who have abortions in the 21st century are fully cognizant of these realities, no matter what their education level.

Verchio sees this scenario as a possibility and she is calling for more research into these new developments to explore avenues on how to best counsel these troubled women.

Abortion does leave scars. Unfortunately, America has been in virtual hibernation concerning these matters. Sadly, the victims of this national denial are women themselves and, not to be forgotten, the babies they aborted.

Victims of Choice: www.victimsofchoice.org Elizabeth Verchio can be contacted at: web@victimsofchoice.com

[swmobuffalo]

Great, another catagory of "victims". Before everyone turns on the flame guns, be aware I have a valid reason for saying what I said. If you're interested freepmail me and I'll tell you in private.