Abortion doesn't raise depression risk: study

[deadparrot]

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Among women with an unwanted pregnancy, those who carry the pregnancy to term are more likely to experience later depression than those who terminate the pregnancy with an abortion, new study findings suggest.

Well-designed studies have generally shown that abortion does not contribute to an increased risk of depression, Dr. Sarah Schmiege and Dr. Nancy Felipe Russo note in their report in BMJ Online First, published October 28.

However, one previous study examining these associations among women with an unwanted first pregnancy found that induced abortion was associated with a higher risk of depression than a pregnancy carried to term.

But Schmiege, from the University of Colorado in Boulder, and Russo, from Arizona State University in Tempe, believe this analysis was flawed.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20051028/hl_nm/abortion_depression_dc

[rodeodance]

1. bet the repugs will not call this science.

[truthisfreedom]

2. my instinct is to disagree, but with this consideration...

the duration and degree of depression is likely lower for women who have an abortion than for women who have unwanted children.

[wordpix2]

20. yeah, being forced into an unwanted pregnancy could make a woman a little

depressed., Why are men allowed to legislate abortion issues, anyway. They should keep their noses out of women's private parts and lives!

[bemildred]

3. WGAS? Whether they get depressed or not, it's their choice.

Not some blowhard prelate or politician.

[Mithras61]

4. In the previous study...

did they compare women who had an abortion with women who carried an unwanted pregnancy to term, or generally to women who carried the pregnancy to term (that is, some of whom wanted the pregnancy)?

I'm neither a woman nor the parent of an unwanted child nor an psychiatrist, but I suspect that having a child around that demanded from me what babies do and was the result of an unwanted pregnancy would definitely exacerbate any depressive feelings I might have. In fact, I suspect that it would increase the liklihood of post-partum depression significantly.

[MountainLaurel]

7. Other studies have shown exactly that

Research in Scandinavia has shown that women who gave birth to children they didn't want were indeed much more likely to experience depression. Furthermore, the babies were more likely to have certain problems, such as low birth weight, even if prenatal care and nutrition factors were equal.

[put out]

5. Well, fer cryin out loud, Dr.s Sarah and Nancy.

How the heck did them women get to be doctors, anyway, killin babies and the like? Sarcasm, please.

All sorts of studies suggest the same. And wasn't it Surgeon General Koop who was made to resign because he just wouldn't get behind fake research saying abortion makes women to be mentally ill.

If anyone is old enough to remember, it was during the Reagan administration. The dude left because he couldn't lie about it, and he was in no way a progressive man. In no way.

It's a lie, a lie that women are permanently damaged by choosing abortion; only those who are emotionally shaky and depressed to begin with. No one wants to do it, no one approaches the decision with glee.

But it is a bit depressing to have to debunk that crap again and again.

Koop, with Reagan or Poppy?, boy I hope I'm right. Ya'll have me for dinner if I'm not.

:o

[sonicx]

6. I've seen some new "Pro-Life" commericials resently...

that made this link.

"Get an abortion and you WILL get depressed and physically ill!"

[Mizmoon]

17. I remember when they implied abortion caused breast cancer

soon they'll try to convince us that it causes dropsy and tired blood.

[ismnotwasm]

8. Glad they're clearing that up

I have small anecdotal study of my own from a few women I know. What they felt was...Relief.
And graditude they live in a time when they have choice over their own bodies.

[femrap]

13. WHEW!

How do you spell RELIEF? A B O R T I O N.....safe and legal.

[NYC Liberal]

9. What? You mean another anti-choice propaganda point

has been shot down? :o

[Iris]

22. they stil have the breast cancer lie.

Published in gov't. propaganda.

[stepnw1f]

10. AHA (nt)

[iamjoy]

11. Abortion And Depression - Maybe There Is A Link

Maybe, a woman has an abortion and then in addition to whatever emotions she may naturally have, any feelings of remorse or guilt are compounded by fanatics shoving pictures of dead fetuses in her face and calling her a murderer. Maybe that causes depression.

Maybe, an insecure or depressed woman is more likely to make a foolish decision regarding intercourse (thus, increasing her chances of becoming pregnant) and then more likely to choose an abortion than a woman who feels happy, secure and safe. Although, I think the article said something similar to this

But, what it ignored, what it seems everyone ignores:
How many women who wanted their children at some point don't in some ways wonder what their life would have been like otherwise and feel sadness or depression.

And what about women who miscarry or have a stillborn child? Or who want children and can't have them? Are they ever included in these studies? Because let me tell you, there is a lot of guilt and depression with that.

[leesa]

12. I'll bet having unwanted children does though.

[femrap]

14. It would be very interesting to see the effect of a strict

religious background on women...

Are there any studies on women who have given up their child for adoption and possible depression after?

[Voltaire99]

15. You mean not having an unwanted squawking baby...

...can avoid depression?

Shhhh; if this gets out, everybody'll want to try it! ;-)

[hedgehog]

16. What the right to life people need to get through their heads is

that this society punishes women for having children no matter their situation. I am viscerally against abortion, but I can't see outlawing it while it is practically impossible for most people to raise a child. If we really want to stop abortion work on

- a living wage
- decent housing
- a 30 hour work week
- universal health careincluding 24 hour nurses if needed
- a way to take care of a baby and a growing child and continue an education and a job.

Oh, for those of you on the other side, do all of the above and you can talk to me about a woman's right to choose with a straight face.

[Mizmoon]

18. but women must be punished for having sex

haven't you heard? :crazy:

[Iris]

23. Good post, hedgehog

And points that are rarely, if ever, made in this debate.

Oh, but on Neal Boort's homepage, he does disparage the Democrats for supporting PAID family and medical leave and guranteed child care.

[area51]

19. Color me not surprised.

Another nazi party lie struck down (not that it'll stop them from lying; their fscked-up mental illness keeps them lying).

[Iris]

21. Yeah, but it does increase your risk of breast cancer. Oh, wait, no

that was proven wrong as well!

Just make sure the government knows.