Medical trauma is a term used to describe the physical and emotional distress caused by medical treatment or procedures. It can impact individuals of all ages and backgrounds and may result in long-lasting psychological effects.
Signs
Many people feel shaken after a hard illness, surgery or hospital stay. It may be time to reach out when the fear keeps getting in the way of your health care, your sleep or your daily life.
How counselling helps
Early on
With your counsellor, you make sense of what happened during your care and how it still shows up in your body, your thoughts and your sleep.
As you go
You practise grounding and mindfulness skills you can use in a waiting room, before a needle or when a hospital memory comes back.
Over time
At your own pace, you work toward getting the care you need, such as planning how to speak up or what to bring to your next appointment.
Approaches
Where
About
Medical trauma is a term used to describe the physical and emotional distress caused by medical treatment or procedures. It can impact individuals of all ages and backgrounds and may result in long-lasting psychological effects. While medical treatments are essential for physical health, the emotional impact can be overwhelming. In such cases, trauma-informed therapy, CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy), and EMDR therapy can help individuals process and heal. In this blog post, we explore healthcare trauma and how therapy can support recovery.
Medical trauma refers to the psychological distress that arises from medical treatments or procedures. This trauma can occur due to various reasons, such as surgical procedures, invasive diagnostic tests, chronic illnesses, and medical emergencies. Trauma can cause significant emotional and physical distress and may result in long-lasting psychological effects such as anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Medical trauma can be caused by a variety of experiences, including:
These experiences can be traumatic and may result in physical and emotional distress, including anxiety, depression, and PTSD.
Symptoms of medical trauma can vary and can affect individuals in different ways. Some common symptoms of trauma include:
Individuals who experience trauma may also develop physical symptoms such as headaches, muscle tension, and digestive issues.
Therapy can be an effective way to cope with healthcare trauma and the resulting emotional and psychological distress that can be effective for treating medical trauma, including:
If you or a loved one has experienced healthcare trauma, seeking support through therapy can be beneficial for coping with the emotional and psychological distress. At No Fear Counselling, we offer a safe and supportive environment for individuals to discuss their experiences and develop healthy coping mechanisms. Contact us today to learn more about our services and locations.
Counselling Therapist
Counselling Therapist
FAQs
Can't find your answer? Ask us a question.
You may want support if a past illness, surgery or hospital stay still affects how you feel or how you get care. Some people avoid checkups, while others feel panic in a clinic or relive moments from the hospital. You do not need a label to reach out. If it gets in the way of your life, that is reason enough to talk with someone.
Yes, a procedure can go well medically and still feel frightening or overwhelming. Pain, loss of control, emergency care or not knowing what was happening can all leave a mark. Your reaction makes sense, and you do not have to feel only grateful to be heard. Our counsellors take your experience seriously, whatever the medical outcome.
Several approaches can help, and our counsellors work in a trauma-informed way, which means you set the pace and nothing is forced. They may use eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), a therapy that helps the brain process painful memories, or cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), which looks at fearful thoughts about your health. Mindfulness and dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) skills can help you calm strong feelings in the moment.
Yes, you can meet with a counsellor online from anywhere in BC. Many people find it easier to talk about medical experiences from home, away from clinic rooms and hospital sounds. We offer a free 15-minute consultation by phone or video, and our intake team suggests counsellors who fit what you need, your language and your budget.
If you are in crisis or thinking about suicide, call or text 9-8-8, call 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433), or call 911 if you are in danger. Please reach out to these lines right away rather than waiting for a session. Counselling can support you alongside them, and you choose what to share and when.
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