By Susan Brinkmann, OCDS Staff Journalist A new study of more than 3,000 women conducted by Canadian researchers found an association between mental disorders and abortion. According to the Vancouver Sun, the study, conducted by the University of Manitoba and published in the current issue of the Canadian Journal of Psychology, analyzed data collected during interviews with 3,310 women conducted by the National Institute of Mental Health and the National Institute of Drug Abuse in the United States between 2001 and 2003. Researchers found that women who had an abortion during their lifetime had an increased likelihood of mood and anxiety disorders. Almost 25 per cent of women who had an abortion also reported some form of substance abuse in their lifetime, compared to only seven per cent of women who did not have abortions. As a result, it is being recommended that doctors screen for a history of abortion in women who present with symptoms of anxiety, mood disorders and substance abuse. However, in an effort to prevent pro-life groups from using this information to their advantage, researchers were quick to play down the significance of the study. "You absolutely cannot say from this data that an abortion causes mental illness,” said Natalie Mota, lead author of the study. “There's an association present, but whether the mental illness comes before or after needs to be further examined." A substantial amount of research has found a link between abortion and a variety of psychological issues such as depression, sleep disorders, suicide, relationship problems and post-traumatic stress disorder. For more information about the psychological impact of abortion on women, visit http://www.afterabortion.org/reasmor.html © All Rights Reserved, Living His Life Abundantly®/Women of Grace®  http://www.womenofgrace.com