You might not be as familiar with medical trauma.
Ignoring medical care can lead to further complications which may just exacerbate the trauma.
Here’s how to recognize if you might be facing medical trauma and how to deal with it.
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Symptoms of Medical Trauma
The symptoms of medical trauma look similar to those ofpost-traumatic stress disorder.
What Causes Medical Trauma?
If you already deal with mental health issuesincluding PTSD from other traumayou may be more vulnerable to medical trauma.
But there are also particular diagnoses or situations often associated with medical trauma, which are listed below.
Birth
Giving birth can often be highly traumatic.
Additionally, women who have experienced sexual abuse are prone to re-traumatization during the birth process.
PTSD appeared to be even more likely in those who clinically died but were resuscitated.
Intensive Care Unit
A stay in the intensive care unit (ICU) can be particularly traumatizing.
Additionally, Black people have historically been used as test subjects in medicine.
In addition, those who lost a loved one due to COVID-19 may also experience PTSD.
Trauma is subjective and there are a variety of factors that contribute to it.
Poor communication can increase a patient’s stress levels as well and ultimately lead to medical trauma.
Even the environment in which a person receives care can contribute to medical trauma.
Who Experiences Medical Trauma?
While anyone can experience medical trauma, research shows that some people are at a higher risk.
Here are some suggestions to support you on your journey of coping with medical trauma.
Recognize That Your Trauma Is Real
In many situations, survivors of trauma downplay their trauma.
Many survivors of medical trauma struggle with believing it is real.
Practice advocating for yourself by explaining how you prefer to be treated by a doctor or provider.
Insist on being talked through any procedures they may perform.
The same applies to existing doctors.
Yoga and tai chi, for instance, are practices that can reconnect the mind and body.
This can help people who have experienced trauma cope with symptoms like depression and anxiety.
attempt to become familiar with your triggers as well.
Seeking support can help you process and move forward from this trauma and heal.
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