In this important communication of the psychological reactions of a group of adolescents undergoing therapeutic abortion at the Michael Reese Hospital, preabortion dreams were used as a sensitive diagnostic and prognostic adjuvant. In most of the patients there was evidence of serious psychiatric illness compounded by developmental immaturity and lack of knowledge about the procedure. Unlike the adult patients, the adolescents themselves were not responsible for the abortion decision. The abortion was perceived as frightening, dangerous, and punitive and there was frequent postabortion emotional distress and mourning.