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)
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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.
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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.
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.