Medical Trauma: Effects, Treatments & How to Cope

Medical trauma is a form of psychological trauma resulting from medical diagnosis or intervention.¹ The resulting symptoms can include post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, and disrupted sleep. Through acknowledgement and acceptance — and with the proper treatment from a mental healthcare professional — most people can manage their symptoms and experience full recovery from this kind of trauma.

What Is Medical Trauma?

Medical trauma is defined as psychological and physiological responses to pain, injury, serious illness, medical procedures, or other frightening treatments.² People with a pre-existing mental health history associated with trauma or who have had a frightening experience in a hospital setting/with medical personnel are more vulnerable to experiencing medical trauma.

Note that medical traumas also impact medical personnel and any family or friends who may have witnessed the trauma.

Here are six examples of experiences that might result in medical trauma:

• Going into cardiac arrest and needing to be resuscitated
• Needing a medical intervention due to major blood loss
• Extreme pain from an injury
• The amputation of a limb
• An emergency cesarean surgery
• Receiving a life-threatening diagnosis
• When Medical Trauma Leads to PTSD

PTSD symptoms are reported to occur in between 5% and 63% of ICU survivors. Key risk factors include duration of hospital and ICU stays, duration of ventilation, pre-existing psychiatric history, and the presence of delusional memories.³ Trauma experts say that the severity of the incident doesn’t necessarily forecast the seriousness of the symptoms.

Studies show the following risk factors of PTSD for patients in ICUs: pre-ICU anxiety or depressive disorders, sedation and physical restraint, and recall of in-ICU nightmares/psychotic experiences.⁴ These risk factors are applicable to other hospital settings, too. In one report, about 1 in 5 patients in an ICU have some level of PTSD.

Here are four signs that PTSD is present:⁵

1. Persistent intrusive thoughts or memories of aspects of the medical event (i.e., replaying the memory of getting the diagnosis)
2. Significant distress when confronted with reminders of the medical trauma, including medical appointments
3. Disruptions in treatment adherence due to trauma related avoidance
4. Overutilization of healthcare related to hypervigilance

The Lasting Mental Health Effects of Medical Trauma

Trauma experienced as the result of medical procedures, illnesses, and hospital stays can have lasting effects like anxiety and depression. When the medical condition has been successfully treated, that doesn’t necessarily mean that the mental health issues related to trauma will also end.

Those who experience medical trauma may also develop:

• PTSD
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Complicated grief
• Somatic complaints

Symptoms and responses to medical trauma are comparable to other types of physical trauma like being in an automobile crash or experiencing physical abuse. The Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA) says the difference between PTSD and the experience of trauma is that a traumatic event is time-based, while PTSD is a longer-term condition where one continues to re-experience the event and have flashbacks.⁶

Treatment of Medical Trauma & PTSD

ADAA recommends that survivors face their trauma rather than flee from it. Specific techniques can help limit long term symptoms and give people a sense of control. Different types of therapy can also help people come to terms with their medical trauma and manage any resulting anxiety, fear, anger, shock, and confusion that may evolve from it.

Techniques to treat symptoms of medical trauma are:⁷

• Continuous contact with and support from important people in your life
• Disclosing the trauma to loved ones
• Identifying as a survivor as opposed to a victim
• Use of positive emotion and laughter
• Finding positive meaning in the trauma
• Helping others in their healing process
• Holding the belief that you can manage your feelings and cope

Here are three types of therapy used to treat medical trauma:

• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): The goal of CBT is to understand, identify, and alter patterns of thinking that create problems and inhibit a person’s ability to function. These negative thoughts are replaced and reframed for more functional behavior.
• Systematic desensitization therapy: The type of treatment uses visualization techniques; however, people are sometimes asked to return to the place of their trauma. The goal is to break down the traumatic event into small parts where the patient learns to replace the fearful response with one of control, relaxation, and calm.
• Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR): EMDR was designed to help people overcome trauma and the resulting stress, anxiety, anger, and depression. Eye movements are used to track the therapist’s hand moving back and forth in the patient’s field of vision. Sound might be used as well. The goal is to remove or alter the strong negative emotions associated with the trauma, helping people process traumatic memories in a safe environment.

How to Get Help for Medical Trauma

It isn’t unusual to take time away from work and social engagements to emotionally recover from the shock of a medical trauma. However, when feelings of loss and grief persist, or if you continue to mentally revisit the trauma, you may want to explore getting help from a mental healthcare professional.

Counseling can help you to come to terms with the disruptive emotions that are impeding your ability to understand and cope with medical trauma. If you have a good relationship with your primary care physician (PCP), ask for a referral for a therapist. After all, your PCP should already have a good understanding of your medical history. Another option is to find a therapist in an online directory.

How to Get Help For a Loved One

There are several ways to offer loved ones support if they’ve experienced medical trauma or medical PTSD, but most importantly, be a good listener. It may take time for them to talk about the trauma or their reaction to it, but when they’re ready, try to listen without judgment. Encourage them to talk with you whenever they feel comfortable, and let them know they’re not alone.

Here are several ways to help a loved one with medical trauma:

• Identify concrete needs
• Maintain to their usual routine
• Help identify ways to relax
• Face situations, people, and places that remind them of the traumatic event
• Take time to resolve daily conflicts so they don’t build up and add to their stress
• Identify sources of support including family and friends.⁸
• Try not to personalize moments of anger, frustration, or emotional distance post trauma; instead, practice patience and understanding

9 Ways to Recover From a Medical Trauma

To recover from a medical trauma, it helps to learn about self care options and become more comfortable with yourself, your feelings, and your life post trauma. Taking care of your body also contributes to mental healing and overall wellness.

Here are nine techniques to recover from medical trauma:

1. Mindfulness: Slowing down the mind and body can help alleviate stress and intrusive thinking. It also helps to keep you in the present moment. Deep breathing exercises are a useful tool in this regard.
2. Physical exercise: Exercise is a good way to relieve stress and anxiety. Make sure to consult a physician about the best and safest forms of exercise given your medical status.
3. Socialization: There is a tendency for people dealing with trauma to isolate themselves. It may be challenging at first, but maintaining ongoing connections with trusted family and friends can help the healing process.
4. Trauma support groups: These sources of strength and community for survivors of medical trauma offer helpful resources and information. They can also help you connect with other survivors.
5. Therapy and counseling: Attending therapy with a mental health professional can help heal broken relationships and promote optimal functioning.
6. Sleep: Having an adequate amount of restful sleep helps restore the body and mind. Sleeplessness can be a by-product of medical trauma, so this is especially important for people who are trying to recover.
7. Medication: If there is ongoing depression, anxiety, sadness, or anger, consult your doctor or a psychiatrist about possible relief with medication.
8. Stay away from alcohol and drugs: Drugs and alcohol can increase depression, anxiety, and paranoia. They can also exacerbate trauma symptoms.
9. Relaxation techniques: One of the components of trauma is feeling a loss of control over your body, mind, and emotions. Relaxation techniques like yoga, meditation, and slow, deep breathing can be invaluable. These practices help people feel more grounded, present, and in control.

Final Thoughts on Dealing With Medical Trauma & Medical PTSD

Everyone expresses trauma in their own way, but the first step to recovery is recognizing and acknowledging the struggle. The next step is to accept and understand that additional help may be required. Give yourself permission to ask for help from family, friends, support programs, and healthcare professionals. Doing so will increase your chances of overcoming any residual medical trauma symptoms and moving towards a happier life.

Additional Resources

• Best Books for Trauma & PTSD
• Mental Health America
• National Alliance on Mental Health
• MentalHealth.gov
• Online Therapist Directory: Sort therapists by specialty, cost, availability and more. Watch intro videos and see articles written by the therapists you’re considering working with. When you’ve found a good match, book an online therapy appointment with them directly.

Are you ready to connect with a therapist but feel a little overwhelmed by all your options? Speak with one of Choosing Therapy’s Client Navigators. Client Navigators are mental health professionals who will listen to what you’re looking for in a therapist and help pair you with the best possible fit. Getting started is free, easy, and confidential.