I Already Have Mental Health Problems. Could Abortion Make It Worse?

August 1, 2026

If you already live with depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, PTSD, or anything else that takes daily work to manage, an unexpected pregnancy can feel like one more weight to carry.

You may be wondering whether an abortion would quiet things down or make them harder to carry, and that question deserves an honest answer. Before you decide anything, you can schedule a no-cost, confidential appointment at Elevate Women’s Center in Rogers to confirm your pregnancy and get accurate information without pressure.

Why This Question Comes Up So Often

Pregnancy changes your hormones, appetite, sleep, and routines, and those four things help keep a mental health condition more steady in the first place. When a pregnancy is unplanned, worries about money, school, work, or a strained relationship stack on top of that.

When your mental health feels a little shaky, you may also wonder about how each pregnancy option might affect your mental health, including abortion.

Emotions After an Abortion

Mayo Clinic notes that after an abortion, you may feel a mix of emotions, including relief, loss, sadness, or guilt, and it suggests talking with a counselor if those feelings bother you.

Women react differently, and how you respond may have a lot to do with what you have already been through. If you see a therapist or psychiatrist, talking with that person first about your history can give you insights into how you may react.

Other factors, in addition to a history of mental health issues, that could impact how you feel include:

• Whether you are pressured into an abortion decision
• Whether you have maternal desires
• Whether you have moral or religious beliefs that conflict with abortion

If you answer “yes” to any of the above factors, there’s a greater chance of negative mental health impacts.

The reality is abortion is associated with a greater risk for experiencing mental health issues, so it’s important to be aware of this before proceeding.

However, ultimately, you are the best predictor of how an abortion will impact you emotionally, and it’s your decision.

A First Step That Costs You Nothing

A decision made on solid information holds up better than one made in confusion. Elevate Women’s Center offers lab-quality pregnancy tests at no cost, along with a pre-abortion screening that safeguards your health with essential pregnancy services.

While Elevate Women’s Center does not provide or refer for abortion services, we provide all of our services at no cost to you. Visiting us will help you work through your options.

You have been managing a lot already, and you do not have to sort this part out alone. Book an appointment, call, or text (479) 487-2456 to get started.

If you are having thoughts of harming yourself, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at any hour.