The Abortion Decision: A Deficit in Impulse Control?

​The decision to abort a child is often not taken lightly. It usually comes after many weeks and sometimes months of terrible anxiety about what to do. There are so many thoughts that go though both the male and female’s mind. In past articles and blogs, I have written about how traumatic finding out one is pregnant can be and the impact that can have on the behavior of both the female and the male. How being caught off guard can cause a fight or flight response that is driven by the limbic system. Both males and females can have this response and it can greatly impact their ability to make a rational decision. Oftentimes they both are wanting a decision that would bring relief from their brain being stuck in this state. Unfortunately, later when the “relief stage” wears off and their rational brain begins to kick in, they begin to feel and think differently about what they just did. I have also previously written about the topic of how previous trauma can impact the trauma of the decision and put the person at greater risk of a fight or flight response, versus someone who did not have previous trauma.

In this month’s blog, I want to talk about how coexisting disorders of impulse can have an impact on the abortion decision. A common diagnosis that I often assess for in my clients is Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Since I work with many clients who present with addictions, I know this is a first place to start. The reason is that many of the symptoms of ADHD create a high-risk factor for clients who present with an addiction history. In addition, I know that clients who have this diagnosis often have a lower level of dopamine. Due to lower levels of dopamine they will then seek out ways to raise their level of dopamine through addictive substances and behaviors. As a therapist, I began to wonder how many of my clients who have an abortion decision in their history, may have been impacted by symptoms consistent with ADHD and may have never known. In other words, it is very possible that if their ADHD symptoms would have been treated or diagnosed, they may have not made an impulsive decision to abort their child.

How is this information helpful when working with clients who have an abortion decision in their history and a diagnosis of ADHD? To begin with, a common stage clients go though in the healing process is being able to forgive themselves for the choice they made. I have found that when clients receive a diagnosis of ADHD and they truly understand the symptoms, especially impulse control problems, they are better able to forgive themselves through that lens of understanding. In addition, it is also an important opportunity through psychoeducation to teach coping skills to prevent a future crisis pregnancy.
​
I encourage you as a therapist to consider any type of impulse control disorder when working with clients who present with an abortion decision in their history. A proper diagnosis can often bring both relief and healing to a client that may have for years condemned themselves for making an impulsive decision in the moment of the crisis pregnancy. This information alone can be a turning point in your client’s healing journey.