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Post Abortion Syndrome Counseling
Tue, 06/03/2008 - 21:58 — minarts
When I (Sandy) pass out fliers on the busy streets of Jerusalem on a Sunday morning, I'm sometimes confronted by a stricken woman that asks me, with tears in her voice "Where were you when I had an abortion a few years ago?"
For these women, the specter of a disastrous choice made years before haunts their dreams and contributes to depression, low self-esteem, relational problems, shame, guilt, and promiscuous and addictive behaviors. This gamut of symptoms is coming to be known as "Post Abortion Syndrome" (PAS) Women suffering from PAS may be haunted by a vague sense of guilt, may react strongly to the presence of small children, may be overly anxious or, conversely, careless with existing children, and have unexplained anger and outburst of rage. Symptoms like guilt, sleeplessness, nightmares, anxiety attacks, suicidal thoughts are similar to those brought on by any traumatic experience. Because the risks and consequences of abortion continue even after women go through with them, they need emotional and sometimes physical healing. Be’ad Chaim feels responsible to provide women with the opportunity to receive healing from the trauma of abortion and to educate them regarding its staggering consequences. Our counselors are trained to give one-on-one counsel to promote the healing process. We also have a workbook available in 4 languages. The workbook can be used individually or in a group setting. PAS support groups exist in several cities following a recent PAS seminar. If you have have had an abortion and are experiencing some of these symptoms, please read this special letter or find out more in our news section. If you would like to share your story, please fill our anonymous declaration form to be used to help others. PAS Articles
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