Nada L. Stotland

Nada Stotland, MD, MPH, is the 2008-9 President of the American Psychiatric Association and was a former [http://www.prch.org/content/index.php?pid=105 board member of Physicians for Reproductive Choice and Health (PRHC).

Stotland Asserts Women Who Have Abortions Are Emotionally Unstable

Stotland told the LA Times that women who have abortions are more likely to be emotionally unstable in the first place.[1]

Stotland Admits Treating Delayed Reaction to Abortion in Patient

In 'Abortion: Social Context, Psychodynamic Implications" Am J Psychiatry, 155(7):964-967, 1998' Stotland admits her surprise when treating a woman whose past abortion emerged as a major psychological issue years later when she experienced a subsequent miscarriage. She states that "the loss of a potential life" caused by abortion "leaves the person vulnerable to reminders and reenactments, to difficulties that may surface in life and in subsequent psychotherapy."

Stotland Advising Screening for Abortion History

In an interview in Psychiatric News Christine Lehmann reports that Stotland advises psychiatrists to screen for a history of abortion history at intake in order to address any unresolved issues:

"If a woman has had an abortion, ask about the circumstances surrounding her decision-whether she thought it through beforehand and talked about her experience with friends and/or relatives," Stotland advised.

The patient should also be asked whether she is comfortable with her decision and experience. "If not, ask whether she wants to work on unresolved issues. This can be accomplished by various means including a religious consultation and psychotherapy," she advised.[2]

In addition, Stotland recommends asking woman considering an abortion a series of questions (most of which studies have shown may flag a greater risk for negative reactions to abortion). Her recommended questions are:

• What are her and her family's morals and values concerning pregnancy and abortion, and what does her culture and religion teach about them?

• What has she heard about abortion from her partner, friends, and relatives?

• What are her circumstances, including economic, educational, and income levels?

• Is there domestic violence or abuse present in the home?

• Has she been abandoned by her partner?

• What are her expectations and goals?[3]

Stotland Advising Doctors to Not Document Abortion Related Problems

Stotland, N. (2003). Abortion and psychiatric practice. Journal of Psychiatric Practice. 9:2, 139-149.

"It is also important, however, to be aware of the realities of the limitations on doctor-patient confidentiality and the implications of having an abortion in one's medical (including psychiatric) record. There are websites that list the names and addresses of women who have had abortions. Unless there is a clear and explicit medical need to record the abortion, the medical record need only note that the patient is dealing with feelings about a past experience." (pp. 147-148)

Other Notes and Comments

Stotland's Comments on abortion to APA http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/118575.php

A summary of ‘Abortion Trauma Syndrome?’ Critiquing the Evidence” by Stotland, Russo, and others.

See Is there an “Abortion Trauma Syndrome”? Critiquing the Evidence for a response to arguments raised by Stotand and others.

Stotland's testimony before Congress http://energycommerce.house.gov/reparchives/108/Hearings/09292004hearing1388/Stotland2227.htm

Shadigian's testimony http://energycommerce.house.gov/reparchives/108/Hearings/09292004hearing1388/Shadigian2229.htm

Koop's Letter http://www.justfacts.com/abortion.koopsletter.asp

APA Position Paper on abortion [4]

Curiously, the APA position states "freedom to act to interrupt pregnancy must be considered a mental health imperative with major social and mental health implications." Does this not translate to "abortion must be considered a mental health imperative with major social and mental health implications."??