Medical trauma occurs when an individual is directly exposed to or experiences trauma in a medical setting. This type of trauma commonly develops through the interactions between the patient, medical staff, medical environment, and the diagnosis or procedures associated with it.
The impact of medical trauma can be profound due to the individual’s unique perspective on the event. Medical trauma can arise from a variety of experiences related to healthcare and medical treatment. Here are some examples:
Invasive Medical Procedures: Experiencing pain, discomfort, or fear during surgeries, biopsies, or other invasive procedures, especially if there was inadequate anesthesia or emotional support.
Prolonged Hospitalization: Long stays in the hospital, especially in intensive care units.
Misdiagnosis or Delayed Diagnosis: Being misdiagnosed or having a delayed diagnosis of a serious condition.
Poor Communication from Healthcare Providers: Receiving bad news abruptly or without proper support, or feeling dismissed or not believed by medical professionals.
Chronic Illness or Pain: Living with a chronic illness or persistent pain, especially if treatments are ineffective or side effects are severe.
Medical Errors: Experiencing a medical error, such as being given the wrong medication or undergoing an unnecessary surgery.
Often, when we think of trauma or PTSD, we think of war, car accidents, or natural disasters. Until recently, traumatic medical experiences were not considered a form of trauma. Even today, in the 21st century, medical trauma is not often discussed or acknowledged as a form of trauma that can contribute to trauma-related conditions, such as PTSD.
Signs of Medical Trauma
Signs of medical trauma can manifest in various ways, affecting emotional, psychological, and physical well-being. Here are some common signs:
Re-experiencing: This occurs when you continue to think about the event or experience even when you do not want to. While it can be a normal part of processing the experience, it can become distressing if it happens too often. This may manifest as nightmares or “flashbacks” that make you feel like it is happening all over again. Triggers such as certain sights, smells, or sounds can also remind you of these events and cause physical symptoms.
Avoidance: This involves avoiding situations or activities that remind you of the traumatic event. It can mean staying away from people, places, or things that upset you and cause you to think about the event(s). For children, this may result in new fears or worries. In both adults and children, avoidance can interfere with daily life and prevent you from doing things you previously enjoyed. Avoidance of future medical treatment is common in those who have experienced medical trauma due to fear of being re-traumatized.
Hyper-arousal: This often starts as a natural response to danger, known as the “fight or flight response.” After a traumatic medical event, this response might not turn off properly, even when you are safe. For example, an individual who has been in a car accident may jump at the sound of any loud noise. Physical symptoms often accompany hyper-arousal, such as feeling like your heart is racing.
Effects of Medical Trauma
Research on medical trauma has shown that these experiences affect the brain in ways very similar to external forms of trauma that contribute to the development of PTSD. Medical trauma that goes undiagnosed or improperly addressed can lead to the development of PTSD, anxiety, and depression.
Medical trauma can impact various areas of your life:
Physical: Includes the immediate effects of a traumatic medical event such as wounds, pain, medication side effects, and changes in physical abilities.
Social: Impacts a person socially through continued interactions with medical professionals and family.
Spiritual: Can impact an individual’s spiritual health and contribute to an existential crisis, leading to questions like, "Why did this happen to me?" and "What does this mean to me?"
Emotional: Many factors influence how a person will emotionally react to medical trauma, including personality, distress tolerance, coping skills, and optimism. These factors can impact both short- and long-term adjustment due to a medical condition or procedure.
How Can a Counselor Help?
As a counselor specializing in medical trauma, I am committed to supporting your healing journey. Here’s how I can help:
Prevention and Assessment: I carefully assess your risk factors for developing trauma-related disorders, such as anxiety or PTSD, and work with you to identify early warning signs. Understanding the impact of medical trauma on various aspects of your life allows us to develop a treatment plan that truly fits your needs.
Intervention:
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) & Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT): These therapies are effective tools in addressing PTSD and depression. Through CBT, we work together to challenge unhelpful thoughts, while MBCT helps you manage stress by incorporating mindfulness practices that regulate emotional and physical responses.
Narrative Therapy: This approach offers you the opportunity to reshape your trauma narrative, giving you a sense of control and helping you find new meaning in your experiences.
Holistic Approaches: Recognizing that medical trauma affects the whole person, I incorporate holistic methods that address not just the mind, but the body and spirit as well, promoting comprehensive healing.
Transformation: The goal of our work together is transformation. By processing the cognitive and emotional impacts of medical trauma, you can begin to redefine your life and establish a “new normal” that empowers you to move forward with confidence.
Resources
References
Hall, M. F., & Hall, S. E. (2017). Managing the Psychological Impact of Medical Trauma: A Guide for Mental Health and Health Care Professionals. Springer Publishing Company.
Flaum, M. & Hall, S. (2013). When Treatment Becomes Trauma: Defining, Preventing, and Transforming Medical Trauma. VISTAS. 73. 1-15.
Peterson, S. (2018). Medical Trauma. The National Child Traumatic Stress Network. https://www.nctsn.org/what-is-child-trauma/trauma-types/medical-trauma