Counselling after abortion?

[RecliningHenderson]

I’ve posted this in chat too but hopefully I’ll get more responses here.

I had an abortion 18 months ago and I’ve really struggled to get over it. I deeply regret it. I finally went to the doctors about 4 months ago because it was becoming overwhelming, especially the anxiety. I was referred to taking therapies and went for an assessment and was asked whether I wanted counselling or therapy. I basically just wanted them to tell me what to do but they wouldn’t so I went for EMDR.

I went twice and it actually did help my anxiety but I didn’t like the therapist and stopped going. I’m taking supplements that are meant to help anxiety and it really has reduced. However, the regret and sadness and thinking about it every day are still with me. Will paying for counselling for it (rather than therapy, though I’m still confused about the difference) help after 18 months? Has anyone got over an abortion they regret?

I feel so sad about it this evening and I don’t want to be

Sorry you're feeling like this after 18 months, I think counselling is worth trying but it can be difficult to find a counsellor that you gel with sometimes. I'm not sure what the difference between therapy and counselling is either?

I had a termination 3 months ago and today contacted a counselling service to enquire about post abortion counselling as I'm really struggling to move on from it (I wanted the baby but OH didn't).

My only concern is that a lot of places that advertise post abortion counselling seem to have a pro-life and/or religious slant, might be worth considering if/when you make enquiries?

I hope you make peace with what happened

How are you getting on Reclining?

Hi, I had an abortion years ago that I regretted afterwards. From your post it sounds as if you're going through exactly what I did. It took a long time, but it does get easier. Years on I do still think about it on the anniversary of having the termination, and in some way I don't ever want to forget about it completely, but it no longer affects my life. I still regret it,and I often wonder what life would've been like, but I have got over it, and you will as well.
I would say the first 18 months or so were the worst, and then gradually I just started to feel a bit better.
I was on antidepressants for quite a while, I'm not sure if they helped or not to be honest - I still felt awful, but I may have felt worse without them!
I think you've probably been through the worst of it, hang on in there, and it will start to get better.