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Understanding Medical Trauma With The Raleigh House

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) from medical trauma affects thousands of people yearly.

Medical trauma frequently stems from experiences like severe medical procedures, chronic illness, or life-threatening events in a healthcare setting. While this often occurs during a person’s medical journey, its repercussions can persist long into recovery.

One of the most prevalent outcomes of medical trauma is adopting coping mechanisms such as alcohol or drug dependency or co-occurring mental health conditions, like anxiety or depression.

If you or someone you love has resorted to substance use to manage the emotional toll of medical trauma, our empathetic team will help you with the treatment and personalized care you need now.

Continue reading to learn more about the impact of medical trauma, including its influence on developing a substance use disorder or a mental health condition. 

What Is Medical Trauma?

Medical trauma refers to the psychological and emotional distress individuals experience due to severe medical events, procedures, or conditions.

These events can encompass a wide range of situations, including

• Serious illnesses
• Severe injuries
• Intensive surgical procedures
• Unexpected medical emergencies
• Extensive treatments with long recovery times

The distress associated with medical trauma can stem from physical pain, emotional strain, and the disruption of one’s sense of normalcy that often accompanies non-routine medical events.

It’s important to understand that medical trauma can affect more than just the patient. In some cases, family members and healthcare providers who witness or are involved in traumatic medical experiences may also develop trauma.

The emotional toll of medical trauma can extend beyond the event itself, potentially leading to post-traumatic stress symptoms and other psychological challenges.

The Tie Between Medical Trauma and PTSD

The connection between medical trauma and PTSD is a significant and complex one.

PTSD is a mental health condition that can develop in individuals who have experienced or witnessed a traumatic event. Medical trauma is a type of trauma that can lead to a PTSD diagnosis.

Addressing the tie between medical trauma and PTSD often involves seeking professional help.

Mental health professionals, such as our experienced team at The Raleigh House, can use trauma-focused therapy, like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) or eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), to help individuals process the traumatic experience, manage their symptoms, and regain a sense of control over their emotions and lives.

Signs of PTSD From Medical Trauma

When someone undergoes a distressing medical event or emergency, they may experience high fear, pain, and a deep sense of helplessness. These severe emotions can trigger the development of PTSD signs and symptoms, which typically fall into four main categories

1. Intrusive Thoughts: Individuals might experience intrusive memories, nightmares, or flashbacks of the traumatic medical event. These involuntary recollections can disrupt daily life.
2. Avoidance: People with PTSD from medical trauma might actively avoid reminders of the traumatic event, including medical settings, discussions about health, or even their medical history. They may also experience emotional numbness and a diminished interest in activities they once enjoyed.
3. Negative Changes in Thoughts and Mood: Negative changes in thinking patterns, such as distorted beliefs about the self or the world, persistent negative emotions, feelings of detachment from others, and a reduced ability to experience positive emotions, are all possible for those living with medical trauma.
4. Increased Arousal: Individuals might exhibit heightened negative arousal symptoms, such as being easily startled, having difficulty sleeping, experiencing irritability or angry outbursts, and having trouble concentrating.

It’s important to note that not everyone who experiences medical trauma will develop PTSD.

Factors such as pre-existing mental health conditions, previous traumatic experiences, the trauma’s severity, the presence of a support system, and coping mechanisms can influence whether PTSD becomes a factor.

Cancer PTSD: A Common Form of Medical Trauma

A cancer diagnosis is the beginning of an arduous journey that encompasses physical, emotional, and psychological challenges. Cancer, with its intrusive treatments, uncertainty, and potential for life-threatening outcomes, can leave deep emotional scars for cancer patients and their families.

For many cancer survivors, the battle doesn’t end with remission. Instead, they find themselves grappling with a lesser-known consequence: cancer PTSD. In fact, cancer survivors often find themselves living with PTSD, a condition that can significantly impact their quality of life long after physical recovery begins.

Cancer PTSD shares similarities with traditional PTSD, characterized by intrusive thoughts, flashbacks, nightmares, and heightened emotional arousal.

Cancer survivors might experience intense anxiety, avoidance of medical settings, and emotional numbness. It’s a silent aftermath that casts a shadow on the survivor’s life, often unnoticed by those around them.

The emotional toll is not limited to the diagnosis phase; the psychological scars may persist even after successful treatment. Survivors might re-experience the distressing moments of their journey, leading to a diminished quality of life.

Everyday activities, once taken for granted, might be overshadowed by the persistent worry and anxiety stemming from the trauma.

Support systems are crucial for cancer survivors dealing with PTSD. Counseling and therapy can assist survivors in processing their traumatic experiences. By addressing the emotional scars left by cancer, individuals can regain control and manage the distressing symptoms more effectively to increase their quality of life.

The Role of Medical Trauma in Addiction and Mental Health

Medical trauma profoundly influences the risk of developing a substance use disorder or co-occurring mental health condition.

Medical trauma leaves lasting psychological marks, fueling mental health challenges. PTSD, anxiety, and depression often emerge as responses to medical-related trauma. The distress might lead to harmful coping mechanisms, such as substance misuse.

For many, alcohol or drugs provide temporary relief, fostering a cycle of addiction. This coping mechanism can exacerbate the fragile mental state of those living with medical trauma.

Recognizing the emotional turmoil that arises from extreme medical experiences is the first step in breaking the cycle of addiction and fostering total well-being.

Empathy, tailored interventions, and comprehensive support make the road to recovery more attainable for those with medical trauma.

Treatment for PTSD From Medical Trauma

The treatment of PTSD arising from medical trauma requires a comprehensive and individualized approach. Addressing the emotional scars of distressing medical experiences is essential for fostering healing and restoring mental well-being.

Some of the common ways to treat medical trauma include

• Psychotherapy, including CBT, exposure therapy, and cognitive restructuring, helps process traumatic memories and develop coping strategies.
• Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy reduces the emotional intensity of traumatic experiences.
• Meditation and relaxation techniques help manage co-occurring mental health conditions such as anxiety and hyperarousal symptoms.
• Prescription medication, including antidepressants and anti-anxiety medicines, can address PTSD symptoms.
• Support groups encourage connecting with peers in similar situations and foster a sense of community.
• Holistic approaches, including yoga, art therapy, and other techniques, provide alternative outlets for emotional expression.
• Lifestyle modifications promote overall mental health, including exercise, balanced nutrition, and sleep.
• Controlled exposure helps manage symptoms and reduce triggers to build mastery over fear over time.

Personalized Care for Medical Trauma in Colorado

We understand the intricacies of medical trauma, including PTSD from cancer or another significant medical diagnosis.

Long after treatment, remission, and healing, people often experience recurring trauma that can affect their everyday life and overall well-being.

The good news is that help is available.

If you or a loved one have PTSD from medical trauma, call The Raleigh House today at 720-891-4657 or contact us online to learn how our residential trauma treatment center can help you or a loved one heal sooner.