Mental illness risk ‘rises 30 per cent for women who have abortions’

The Daily Mail (U.K.) ^ | Noveber 30, 2008 | Rachel Ellis

[Stoat]

Women who have an abortion are three times more likely to develop a drug or alcohol addiction and 30 per cent more likely to have mental disorders compared with other women, research has revealed.

The evidence from two studies comes as the number of women having an abortion in England and Wales exceeded 200,000 for the first time last year.

More abortions – 57,000 – were carried out on women aged 20 to 24 than any other age group. However, there were 4,400 on the under-16s.

Anxiety and drug abuse are the most common mental problems after an abortion, according to a study of 500 women published today in the British Journal of Psychiatry.
 

Professor David Fergusson, who led the research, said the findings had ‘important implications’ – because more than 90 per cent of British abortions were authorised on the grounds that keeping an unwanted baby would cause the mother mental health problems.

He said: ‘This evidence clearly poses a challenge to the use of psychiatric reasons to justify abortion. There is nothing in this study that would suggest that the termination of pregnancy was associated with lower risks of mental health problems than birth.

[Stoat]

My apologies for posting such a severely edited article...this was done in order to remain in compliance with Free Republic posting rules pertaining to articles from The Daily Mail.  Please click on the main article link to read the full story.

**********************************************

 

Christchurch School of Medicine & Health Sciences, New Zealand

David Fergusson
Professor, Christchurch Health and Development Study

David Fergusson is the founder and director of the Christchurch Health and Development Study, a 25 year study of a birth cohort of 1265 children born in the Christchurch region in mid 1977. Research into this cohort has produced over 250 published books and scientific articles that span a wide range of disciplines including: psychology, psychiatry, epidemiology, pediatrics, health economics and sociology. In addition he is Chairman and evaluator of the Early Start programme which is a Christchurch based family support progamme. His principal research interests lie in the design analysis and interpretation of correlational data.

 

 

 

Media Archives, University of Otago, Christchurch, New Zealand

Professor David Fergusson, Honorary Fellow RACP

29 November 2007

Professor Fergusson who leads the Christchurch Health and Development Study at the University of Otago Christchurch has been awarded an Honorary Fellowship by the Royal Australasian College of Physicians.

The Award was presented by Professor Brian Darlow as Chair of the Board of Paediatrics, which represents the Paediatric Division of the College in New Zealand, at the Annual Scientific Meeting of the Paediatric Society of New Zealand.

The RACP Council admitted Professor Fergusson because of his exceptional service to the College and the science and practice of medicine through the long-running Christchurch Health and Development Study which has researched a cohort of 1265 children from 1977 to the present. David Fergusson is also the author of three books and over 300 papers dealing with a wide range of issues in child health and development, mental health and family issues emanating from this longitudinal study.

Professor Fergusson is currently the most cited Australian and New Zealand researcher in the areas of psychology and psychiatry and was elected to the Royal Society of New Zealand in 2006. His research continues to be a major resource for policy makers in New Zealand.

The British Journal of Psychiatry

(link is to main page only....the study has not been published online yet and will most likely be available in a day or two, possibly at a fee)

[Stoat]

A second study shows that women who lose a baby by the age of 21 – either through an abortion or a miscarriage – are three times more likely to develop a drug or alcohol problem than others.

Researcher Kaeleen Dingle, of the University of Queensland, Australia, said: ‘Abortion and miscarriage are stressful life events that have been shown to lead to anxiety, sadness and grief and, for some women, serious depression and substance use disorders.’

The Royal College of Psychiatrists called the evidence ‘inconclusive’.
 

But pro-life campaigners claim it shows women should be warned of all the risks of abortion.

[April Lexington]

I suspect it was pretty high when they made the decision.

[oprahstheantichrist]

I’ve had this theory that anyone who’s participated in an abortion becomes a leftist Democratic Drone for the rest of his or her life. Extrapolate those numbers over thirty-five years, and you begin to see why these elections are going the way they are.

[GonzoII]

Thanks for the post.

[Stoat]

Thanks for the post.

You're quite welcome and I'm delighted that you've found it to be worthwhile  :-)

[irishjuggler]

I’ve had this theory that anyone who’s participated in an abortion becomes a leftist Democratic Drone for the rest of his or her life.

I suspect that there's a lot of truth to your theory. Women who've had abortions (and more than a few of the men who've paid for them) have so much guilt about their past actions that they react with absolute horror to candidates (e.g., Sarah Palin) who dare to express pro-life views.

[NoLibZone]

This shall not be of concern to any women groups.

Abortion, not welfare of women is the reason womens rights groups exist.

[DieHard the Hunter]

Brilliant find! Thanks for the post.

New Zealand is a world leader in the study and treatment of Depression and other related mental illnesses. Alot of that basic groundwork is done in Christchurch.

The University of Otago is one of the most prestigious Schools of Medicine in the Southern Hemisphere, and is one of the most respected medical universities in the world.

So if Professor Fergusson says that abortion increases the risk of Depression by 30%, he’s probably right.

[oprahstheantichrist]

Yep. I have multiple wayyyy-past-childbearing-age family members that CANNOT be reasoned with, and they go completely ballistic at the sight or mention of Sarah, and that’s the only logical explanation. Something in their past.

I don’t think Sarah even spoke of life issues, she just showed up with Trig and didn’t need to say a thing (maybe toward the end she did). The mere sight of her made peoples’ heads explode.

[luckystarmom]

I was wondering about miscarriages after 21. Do they still cause more mental health problems? I had 3 miscarriages, and I’ve never totally gotten over them even though I have 3 kids now.

[Stoat]

Brilliant find! Thanks for the post.

Thank you so very much for your exceptionally gracious and complimentary words  :-)

I hadn't previously been aware of the University of Otago's stature in those fields but it certainly makes sense, given some parts of Professor Fergusson's posted bio:

 

Professor Fergusson is currently the most cited Australian and New Zealand researcher in the areas of psychology and psychiatry and was elected to the Royal Society of New Zealand in 2006. His research continues to be a major resource for policy makers in New Zealand.

(emphasis added)

So if Professor Fergusson says that abortion increases the risk of Depression by 30%, he’s probably right.

Agreed, although I must confess that I was initially taken aback that the figure was 'only' 30%, but I'm guessing that this is because the 30% figure refers to those women whose disorders reach a rather high clinical diagnostic threshold which many women may not meet for one reason or another but whose lives are still profoundly traumatized by their abortion (s).  The number of women who have suffered great negative consequences is probably much higher than 30% but they don't quite meet the medical definition of having a disorder per se.

 

Professor Fergusson is currently the most cited Australian and New Zealand researcher in the areas of psychology and psychiatry and was elected to the Royal Society of New Zealand in 2006. His research continues to be a major resource for policy makers in New Zealand.

[Stoat]

I was wondering about miscarriages after 21. Do they still cause more mental health problems? I had 3 miscarriages, and I’ve never totally gotten over them even though I have 3 kids now.

I'm very sorry to hear of your great suffering and pain. Just because someone's symptoms don't meet the clinical definition of a true disorder doesn't mean that their lives and their happiness is unaffected.  I am not an expert in this field, and even if I was I would not want to be dispensing specific medical advice online.  My great hope is that you might seek out help from appropriate religious and medical sources, as your feelings are very important and deserve to be fully addressed. 

Here at Free Republic there are also many people who have substantial ties to faith organizations and they will quite likely be able to steer you toward someone in your local area who can be of great help and comfort to you if you are not familiar with someone near where you live.....please do not dismiss your feelings as irrelevant or inconsequential.  There is help available for you and you deserve to receive it.

May God Bless You

 

[rmh47]

An interesting study, to say the least. Correlation, however, does not prove causation.

[GOP Poet]

I know a young lady who had an abortion and went straight home and tried to kill herself. It was a miracle she was found in time a true intervention from God. Of course had God not intervened it would have been mother and child gone. Don’t hear about this stuff in the media though.

[Guenevere]

I'm surprised any study ...negative to abortion.. is allowed to be printed....
..this stuff is usually suppressed.

[Guenevere]

I suspect you're essentially right...

..however, only the heart & mind changing influence of surrendering to Christ can overcome the guilt.

A friend of mine at church has 7 living children.....but her first pregnancy was aborted before she became a believer.

She has overcome her guilt....

..not forgotten...

..but it doesn't daily eat at her.

[calex59]

I was wondering about miscarriages after 21. Do they still cause more mental health problems? I had 3 miscarriages, and I’ve never totally gotten over them even though I have 3 kids now.

Miscarriages are tragic and can have an effect on both men and women. Abortions are a deliberate act, murder, I would imagine the mothers are overwhelmed with guilt and that is the reason for the high rate of mental disorders. Miscarriages are not deliberate and although some mothers may feel guilt most feel sorrow and sadness at the death of their unborn child. So while you may need to seek professional help(losing a child is a traumatic experience)you should not be feeling the guilt associated with abortion.

My daughter lost a child, 11 months old, and she still has moments and that was 15 years ago.

If you are feeling depressed you should seek out professional help. God bless you.

[freeangel]

Just great—Now our socialized medicine plan will include therapy for all who have had abortions as a “preventative medicine” for their sure to follow depressions.

[Libertina]

I read your post luckystarmom... I haven’t had a miscarriage, but my mom did - she grieved but recovered completely. I would say the biggest difference is that in one situation the mother (perhaps pressured by others) chooses to take the life, and the other is God taking His creation back home with Him. I trust God to make the right choice every time... The only reason I can see to experience continued upset or mental distress is if the person angrily blames God or others for the miscarriage. There happens to be a wonderful book that I am reading (LOL “coincidence” strikes again) called Trusting God Even When Life Hurts by Jerry Bridges. It’s about God’s sovereignty, not just in the big things, but in our everyday lives. I wish everyone would read it and encourage you to get a copy. God bless Luckystar mom, and your three kids as well! You too, kind Stoat. :)