Young female depression?

Question

Following from my last question on the pill. i have a friend who had an abortion in Jan 08, and she sometimes says to me she feels upset/down. but she doesnt know why...

This was before i knew about the abortion she had, and have been told she could have depression due to the abortion.

Does anyone have any advice for her to get through this, as she says the abortion she has accepted as it was for the best, and doesnt regret a thing.

Thanks

Answer 1

i would consider her go to a christian counselor. they can help alot. sorry thats the best i can think of. hope i helped and good luck!!

Answer 2

She probably is suffering from the abortion. Let her know this is okay, and that you're there for her, but other than that there isn't much you can do. You can't help someone if they don't want to be helped.

Answer 3

This is the friend who keeps taking the morning after pill even though she doesn't need it? The pill itself, whether morning after pill or birth control pill, can make you depressed. It has progesterone in it (and the morning after pill has A LOT of progesterone), and progesterone is a depressant. You've heard of anti-depressants, right? Well, taking progesterone is like the opposite of that--taking something designed to make you depressed!

So we have several theories here: she's depressed due to the abortion; she's depressed due to the pill; she's depressed due to some reason none of us know about.

People who are against abortion like to spread the message that abortion is psychologically damaging to women and girls, and they press that view very strongly. Studies show that by and large, this is not the case--but there are always exceptions. Since none of us here know  your friend, we can't say if she's the exception, and is depressed from the abortion. We can't say if she's depressed from taking the pill and the hormone weirdness it causes. We can't say if she's depressed for a totally different and unrelated reason. This is why it would be good for her to talk to a professional about this; to find out the reason. And also why it would be a good idea for her to go off these pills for several months, so that she can assess what, if any, effect they are having on her mood.

Answer 4

This is fairly common, I believe.  I never had an abortion, so can't say there.  Have her do things that calm her, whether it's loud aggressive music, or knitting.  It's beautifully different for everybody.  Hot herb teas are calming.  A hug from a friend does wonders some days.  She should  speak to her doctor, as this could be a chemical imbalance.  Good luck to you both.  Ain't life grand?