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SecretMethod70 · 09-11-2007, 04:41 PM

Cause and correlation are two different things. I suggest you watch the program I cited. There's no doubt there are people who become depressed, etc after having an abortion, but the abortion is not the cause, it is simply a catalyst. If someone is brought up in a deeply religious environment, for example, and the idea that abortion is an evil, vile, murderous, satanic, devil-worshiping activity has been ingrained into them, then I'd be pretty shocked if abortion didn't lead to psychological troubles. However, abortion, in that case, is not the cause, but a catalyst. Two very very different things.

Incidentally, the people who are trying to argue that abortion should be limited or made illegal because it harms the mental health of women also managed to be published in a medical journal. One published study does not the truth make. Also, the study you cite does not say abortion causes depression. What it does say is that societal factors surrounding abortion can contribute to depression in women, which is precisely what I said in my initial post. ("This is not to say that mental anguish some women experience after an abortion is not real, just that it is not 'caused' by the abortion.")

Funny thing is, NOW did "consult a professional psychologist or psychiatrist" for their report. One of them was Dr. Nada Stotland, President-Elect of the American Psychiatric Association. If you don't want to take the 20 minutes to watch the NOW report, you can see a letter she wrote to the New York Times here [pdf]. Along with the American Psychiatric Association, the American Psychological Association supports the view that "abortion, in and of itself, is not associated with negative mental health consequences." Another choice quote from the NOW report, "most studies show that the vast majority of women suffer no long-term negative mental health effects."

I have to say, will, that I'm very concerned that you'd suggest abortion causes depression, especially since you've said you have an education in psychology. Either you did not say what you intended to say, or your education was not very good, because what you've just posted goes against the stance of both major mental health bodies.

Also of note:

Guttmacher Policy Review: "Abortion and Mental Health—Myths and Realities"

House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform: "False and Misleading Health Information Provided by Federally Funded Pregnancy Resource Centers" [pdf]

EDIT: Upon further review, I realize that I initially worded my first post incorrectly. I said there was no correlation between abortion and mental anguish. What I meant to say is that abortion does not cause mental anguish. The post has been edited to reflect that. Will was correct to call me out on that, but he went too far in the other direction by stating "abortion can and does cause depression is some women," "abortion is one of many potential causes of depression," and "abortions are not always psychologically damaging, of course, but to suggest that abortion never causes depression is completely and totally wrong."

09-11-2007, 04:41 PM	#10 (permalink)
SecretMethod70 Human Administrator Location: Chicago	Cause and correlation are two different things. I suggest you watch the program I cited. There's no doubt there are people who become depressed, etc after having an abortion, but the abortion is not the cause, it is simply a catalyst. If someone is brought up in a deeply religious environment, for example, and the idea that abortion is an evil, vile, murderous, satanic, devil-worshiping activity has been ingrained into them, then I'd be pretty shocked if abortion didn't lead to psychological troubles. However, abortion, in that case, is not the cause, but a catalyst. Two very very different things. Incidentally, the people who are trying to argue that abortion should be limited or made illegal because it harms the mental health of women also managed to be published in a medical journal. One published study does not the truth make. Also, the study you cite does not say abortion causes depression. What it does say is that societal factors surrounding abortion can contribute to depression in women, which is precisely what I said in my initial post. ("This is not to say that mental anguish some women experience after an abortion is not real, just that it is not 'caused' by the abortion.") Funny thing is, NOW did "consult a professional psychologist or psychiatrist" for their report. One of them was Dr. Nada Stotland, President-Elect of the American Psychiatric Association. If you don't want to take the 20 minutes to watch the NOW report, you can see a letter she wrote to the New York Times here [pdf]. Along with the American Psychiatric Association, the American Psychological Association supports the view that "abortion, in and of itself, is not associated with negative mental health consequences." Another choice quote from the NOW report, "most studies show that the vast majority of women suffer no long-term negative mental health effects." I have to say, will, that I'm very concerned that you'd suggest abortion causes depression, especially since you've said you have an education in psychology. Either you did not say what you intended to say, or your education was not very good, because what you've just posted goes against the stance of both major mental health bodies. Also of note: Guttmacher Policy Review: "Abortion and Mental Health—Myths and Realities" House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform: "False and Misleading Health Information Provided by Federally Funded Pregnancy Resource Centers" [pdf] EDIT: Upon further review, I realize that I initially worded my first post incorrectly. I said there was no correlation between abortion and mental anguish. What I meant to say is that abortion does not cause mental anguish. The post has been edited to reflect that. Will was correct to call me out on that, but he went too far in the other direction by stating "abortion can and does *cause* depression is some women," "abortion is one of many potential *causes* of depression," and "abortions are not always psychologically damaging, of course, but to suggest that abortion never *causes* depression is completely and totally wrong." __________________ Le temps détruit tout "Musicians are the carriers and communicators of spirit in the most immediate sense." - Kurt Elling Last edited by SecretMethod70; 09-11-2007 at 05:05 PM..