Hundreds of Psychologists in This Country Agree That Abortion Trauma is Real and Damaging

Matthew Cullinan Hoffman : Jan 8, 2016
LifeSiteNews.com

These doctors don't want to see their country go the way of the United States and other western nations who embrace abortion.

(Chile)—A group of over two hundred mental health professionals are refuting an attempt by the Chilean College of Psychologists to minimize the trauma suffered by women who have had abortions, with a new document citing numerous studies that demonstrate the reality of post-traumatic stress in abortion patients. (Photo: Shutterstock/via LifeSiteNews)

The document, "Abortion and Women's Mental Health," was signed by 151 Chilean psychologists, 47 psychiatrists, and 10 medical doctors, and published in early December. It warns that "apart from the death of the unborn" there exists "sufficient evidence to demonstrate that abortion causes damage to the mental health of women and their families."

"Lamentably," they add, "this information has been omitted in a document published recently by the Chilean College of Psychologists," which ignores "the conclusions of various qualitative and quantitative studies that demonstrate the damage that is caused to the mother who has an abortion."

"Even more, there exists no evidence whatsoever that demonstrates that abortion is favorable to or is restorative of the mental health of women who find themselves in these difficult situations," the mental health professionals write.

The protest was made public in response to the Chilean College of Psychologists' recent statement, "Mental Health and Therapeutic Abortion in Cases of Vital Risk to the Woman, Fetal Inviability, and Rape."

"An undesired pregnancy and its forcible continuation has implications for the mental health of women owing to the experience of subordination of those who wish to end their pregnancy and don't have the legal option to do so," they write. (Photo via Huffington Post/Facebook)

The College of Psychologists further claims that "in light of the best scientific evidence available it is possible to establish that 'Post Abortion Syndrome' does not exist." They cite the far-left American Psychological Association to support their assertion, among other sources.

The protesting psychologists and psychiatrists respond by acknowledging that "there does not effectively exist a specific illness called 'Post Abortion Syndrome,' just as there does not exist a 'Post Rape Syndrome,' or a 'Post Combat Syndrome,' etc.

However, the fact that there does not exist a 'diagnostic' to name this condition called 'Post Abortion Syndrome,' does not in any way mean that there is no risk of developing a psychological or psychiatric disorder stemming from an abortion."

They cite numerous peer-reviewed studies that indicate that women are, in fact, likely to suffer psychological damage from abortion.

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