Medical Trauma: What It Is and How to Manage It?

Medical trauma refers to the psychological and physiological response to negative experiences within medical settings and is a serious issue that has gained growing recognition in the past 40 years (Ref.1). These experiences can involve pain, injury, illness, or distressing treatments, leading to lasting effects on those who endure them.

Medical trauma doesn’t just impact patients; it also affects their caregivers, loved ones, and sometimes medical professionals.[1] The resulting psychological effects, such as anxiety and flashbacks, can be debilitating, while the physiological responses, like muscle tension or sleep disturbances, further complicate recovery. It can get in the way of people either seeking help or continuing treatment, resulting in conditions remaining unaddressed and endangering our health. 

By understanding the impact of medical trauma on both the body and mind, we can better support those who experience it and offer practical strategies for managing its effects.

What Is Medical Trauma?

Medical trauma is defined as a set of psychological and physiological responses to pain, injury, serious illness, medical procedures, or frightening treatment experiences.[2] This type of trauma can arise from any medical situation that feels overwhelming or distressing.

Common symptoms of medical trauma include:

• Anxiety: Feeling constantly on edge or worrying excessively about health-related matters.
• Flashbacks: Reliving traumatic medical experiences as if they are happening again.
• Emotional Numbing: Feeling disconnected from emotions or becoming indifferent to medical concerns.
• Sleep Disturbances: Difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or experiencing nightmares.
• Hypervigilance: Being constantly alert or easily startled, especially in medical settings.[3]

It’s important to understand that trauma is subjective. How we interpret and react to the world is unique, and even seemingly minor events can be traumatic if they provoke intense fear or distress. For example, a visit to the dentist can be traumatic for someone with a phobia, or a major surgery complication can be traumatic for another person. Nothing is too big or too small to cause trauma, and this should not ever be a factor when considering diagnosis or requesting care. 

Common Causes of Medical Trauma

Medical trauma can result from a wide range of situations, many of which are related to distressing or challenging medical experiences. Common causes include:

• Difficult Childbirth: Labour and delivery can be overwhelming or frightening, especially if complications arise or if the birth does not go as planned. A meta-analysis of various studies found that its prevalence was 3.1–4.7% for most of the population, with high-risk groups including people with pre-existing depression or infant complications experiencing risk as high as 15.7%.[4]  
• Cancer Treatment: The journey through cancer diagnosis and treatment, including surgeries, chemotherapy, and radiation, can be traumatic due to the intense physical and emotional challenges involved.[5]
• Intensive Care Unit (ICU) Stays: Being in an ICU can be disorienting and stressful, especially when faced with serious illness or life-threatening conditions. A review of literature found that between 5-64% of people experience some PTSD symptoms after leaving the ICU.[6]
• Surgical Procedures: Even routine surgeries can be traumatic, especially if they involve unexpected complications or if the patient feels unprepared.[7] Post-operative traumatic stress happens in around 20% of people, with intraoperative awareness, dissociation, surgical complications, medication administration, delirium, and pain cited as common contributors.[8]

In addition to these direct causes, systemic issues can exacerbate medical trauma. For example, disparities in healthcare access or quality, particularly in mental health, maternal health, and female health, can intensify feelings of fear and helplessness. Unexpected sources of medical trauma can also arise, such as poor treatment or lack of consent during procedures, leaving patients feeling violated or betrayed.

Coping with Medical Trauma 

Dealing with medical trauma can be challenging; however, there are several ways to begin healing. 

Acknowledging the trauma and validating your feelings about the experience is essential. Recognising its impact on your mental and emotional well-being is the first step toward recovery.

Communication is vital, and it’s imperative to share your concerns and fears with your healthcare provider. Expressing your worries can help you feel more in control and may improve your overall experience with future medical care.

Having a supportive friend or family member accompany you to medical appointments can also be beneficial. They can advocate for you, offer comfort, and help you feel more at ease in potentially triggering situations.

Seeking professional help is another important aspect when dealing with medical trauma. Therapy can provide a safe space to process your experiences, and different approaches outside of talking therapy can be particularly effective.

Taking proactive steps to address and manage medical trauma is essential for healing and maintaining mental health. The journey may be challenging, but recovery is achievable with the right support and coping strategies.

Treatment Options for Medical Trauma

For those experiencing medical trauma, there are several effective treatment options available. One of the most well-regarded approaches is trauma-focused cognitive behavioural therapy (TFCBT), which helps people identify and change negative thought patterns associated with their trauma. TFCBT is particularly useful for processing distressing memories and developing healthier coping mechanisms.[9][10]

Another effective treatment is eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing therapy (EMDR). This therapy involves using guided eye movements to help the brain process traumatic memories to reduce their emotional impact. EMDR has been shown to be effective for various types of trauma, including medical-related trauma and also has been shown to have a calming effect on people pre-surgery.[11]

Engaging in activities that promote relaxation and well-being can also help. Complementary practices such as yoga, tai chi, or even regular physical exercise can help reconnect the mind and body, reduce stress, and enhance overall well-being.[12]

Medication is another option to consider, especially for those experiencing severe anxiety or depression as a result of the trauma they have experienced. Antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications can help alleviate symptoms and improve overall well-being; however, medication should be considered as part of a broader treatment plan under the guidance of a healthcare professional.

Exploring different options and finding a combination of therapies and practices that work best for you is important, as each person’s experience with medical trauma is unique, so treatment plans should be tailored to the individual. 

Get Treatment for Medical Trauma Today

Medical trauma is a significant issue that affects many people, both mentally and physically, and understanding its causes, symptoms, and effects is the first step towards effective management. 

If you or someone you know is struggling with medical trauma, it’s important to reach out for support. At Assured Healthcare and Wellness, we offer comprehensive care and resources to guide you on the path to recovery. By acknowledging trauma and seeking professional help, you can address and heal from these experiences.

Contact us for more information on how we support you in your journey to wellness.

Sources:

1. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0002961014003766
2. https://istss.org/public-resources/friday-fast-facts/fast-facts-medical-trauma
3. https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Scott-Hall-4/publication/315694234_When_Treatment_Becomes_Trauma_Defining_Preventing_and_Transforming_Medical_Trauma/links/58dc15dfa6fdcc7c9f2769c7/When-Treatment-Becomes-Trauma-Defining-Preventing-and-Transforming-Medical-Trauma.pdf
4. https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/20/4/2775
5. https://journals.lww.com/psychosomaticmedicine/fulltext/2004/03000/Experience_of_Trauma,_Distress,_and_Posttraumatic.14.aspx
6. https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2016-23955-002
7. https://journals.lww.com/anesthesia-analgesia/fulltext/2010/03000/posttraumatic_stress_disorder_after_intraoperative.8.aspx
8. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31190143
9. https://ps.psychiatryonline.org/doi/full/10.1176/appi.ps.201300255
10. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S002239991930683X
11. https://ijnr.ir/article-1-1632-en.html
12. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/15299732.2020.1760167