|
Women who have abortions are at risk of severe mental health problems, according to a study. The research found 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 abortion. The study comes with the endorsement of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, which published the research by American academic Priscilla Coleman in the British Journal of Psychiatry. Professor Coleman's study was based on an analysis of 22 separate projects which together analysed the experiences of 877,000 women, of whom 163,831 had had an abortion. Overall, the results revealed that women who had undergone an abortion experienced an 81 percent increased risk of mental health problems, and nearly 10 percent of the incidence of mental health problems were shown to be directly attributable to abortion. The study said that abortion was linked with a 34 percent greater chance of anxiety disorders, and 37 percent higher possibility of depression, a more than double risk of alcohol abuse , a three times greater risk of cannabis use , – and 155 per cent greater risk of trying to commit suicide. Professor Coleman added: "There are in fact some real risks associated with abortion that should be shared with women as they are counselled prior to an abortion." 2011-09-20
|
