Anniversary Reactions and Due Date Responses Following Abortion

Of 83 women who responded to surveys exploring postabortion coping, 30 reported anniversary reactions. Women in this group more often reported ambivalence about the decision to abort. This group also acknowledged fewer suicidal thoughts & attempts, but expressed more concern about verbally abusing their children. Strong trends toward dependency & somatoform disorders were present among this group. The authors recommend that physicians be alert to the possibility of hidden anniversary reactions.