For Adults in New York, Massachusetts & Vermont

Medical Trauma

Are you struggling with fear, anger, depression, anxiety, or shame as a result of a traumatic physical or emotional experience within the healthcare system? Do you feel isolated, hopeless, or helpless? Do you now avoid medical interactions or experience panic attacks, intrusive thoughts, or memories related to the incident?

What is Medical Trauma?

If you answered yes to any of the above, you may be experiencing a type of PTSD called medical trauma. Medical trauma arises from direct contact with the medical setting—a complex interaction between the patient, medical staff, medical environment, and the diagnostic and procedural experience. The psychological impact can be profound, shaped by your unique interpretation of the event (1)

Situations That Can Result in Medical Trauma:

A Medical Diagnosis

  • Procedure Or Surgery

  • Birth Trauma

  • Medication Reaction

  • Accident

  • Hospitalization

  • Witnessing A Medical Event

 
 
 

  • The likelihood of experiencing medical trauma increases significantly if you are treated with disrespect, abuse, neglect, or inhumane treatment by your medical team. Ironically, seeking medical care is supposed to lead to better health, yet medical trauma is all too common.

Hidden Wounds

Medical trauma can send your nervous system into overdrive, making it difficult to move past the experience. The psychological effects of medical trauma aren’t always visible, which can lead to decreased empathy and tolerance from friends, family, and employers, further reducing your self-worth. You may even be labeled as “dramatic” or a “hypochondriac,” two unhelpful and damaging labels. Hypochondriasis may, in fact, be rooted in previous medical trauma—an important point to remember as you work toward healing. Education about medical trauma is essential for everyone.

  • Healing with Integrative Psychotherapy


    You may recognize that you’ve experienced medical trauma, but you might not know that targeted treatments can help you process and move beyond the experience, whether the trauma occurred recently or years ago.

    EMDR Therapy, Flash Technique, and talk therapy can be used individually or in combination to process and integrate traumatic experiences. These evidence-based treatments are designed to help you work through and resolve distressing memories.

    Every person deserves to be treated with respect and dignity in healthcare and all areas of life. Schedule a consultation to discuss a personalized treatment plan that can help you heal.


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References:

(1.) Managing the Psychological Impact of Medical Trauma: A Guide for Mental Health and Health Care Professionals. Hall, Michelle Flaum, EdD, LPCC-S |
Hall, Scott E., PhD, LPCC-Springer, 2016.