6 symptoms of post-abortion depression

Many women have to choose to terminate their pregnancy artificially, that is, to have an abortion, for various reasons. However, women's bodies have already changed after pregnancy, such as: increased progesterone secretion, discomfort in early pregnancy, etc. These reactions will stop after the abortion surgery, and women's body and mind will also have a buffer recovery period. At this time, women are prone to low mood, bad temper, gloomy mood, etc. If they are not relieved in time, they may suffer from depression. Let’s take a look at the 6 symptoms of post-abortion depression.

6 symptoms of post-abortion depression

1. Mental distress

If you suffer from common depression after an abortion, you may feel low in mood, lose your will, have no energy to work, and your sleep and diet quality may not be guaranteed, which can easily lead to physical fatigue and burnout. People with severe depression may also show mental distress, behave extremely radically, and may even engage in extreme behaviors such as suicide and self-harm.

2. Avoid socializing

The patient is unable to derive pleasure from activities that he or she normally enjoys. Symptoms include listlessness, loss of previous enthusiasm and interest in life, and increasing unwillingness to participate in normal activities. At the beginning, they may only lose interest in a few things, such as food, the opposite sex, and social activities; later, they are unwilling to participate in all activities, including previous hobbies, entertainment activities, reunions of family and friends, etc., and they live alone, alienate relatives and friends, and avoid socializing.

3. Low self-esteem

Patients with depression often belittle themselves excessively, always complain about their incompetence, and often feel useless and worthless. The patient suffers from extreme low self-esteem, lacks confidence, has lost self-esteem, and feels hopeless about the future. Patients often have strong self-blame and guilt, saying that they are worthless and that they have let their parents, relatives, and friends down. They describe some of their past minor mistakes and malfunctions as heinous crimes, and even believe that they deserve to die.

4. I don’t know why I’m depressed

Normal people know why they are depressed and have a clear understanding of their position and situation. Even if a person suffering from depression has a certain understanding of why he is depressed, he still cannot answer questions such as "Why am I in such a painful situation?" and "Why does it last so long?" Therefore, I cannot get rid of depression.

5. Not self-regulating

Normally, if a person feels depressed, he or she can adjust his or her mood in different ways to get out of hesitation. A person who is in a depressed state will feel at a loss when it comes to simple things that can relieve his mood, such as taking a walk or chatting. He or she will have no interest in participating in such activities, will refuse to communicate with others, and will allow himself or herself to continue to be depressed.

6. Suicidal thoughts

The suicide rate of people with depression is about 20 times higher than that of the general population. Two-thirds of people with depression have suicidal thoughts, and 10% to 15% engage in suicidal behavior. The patient can explain his or her final arrangements to his or her family or friends, write a suicide note, and instruct on the distribution of property and gifts to others. The suicide actions taken by patients are often carefully planned, making it difficult to guard against. Suicidal thoughts usually arise gradually. In mild cases, the patient may simply feel that life is a burden and not worth living, and gradually begin to have thoughts of falling into a deep sleep or dying suddenly.

If a woman shows signs of depression after surgery, her family must help her resolve the issue and comfort her. When the symptoms are serious, you must see a psychologist for counseling and treatment to prevent adverse consequences.