Navigating Life: Trauma, PTSD, and Medical PTSD
Welcome!
Today I decided to write about Medical PTSD as it can be such a big part to the therapeutic healing of someone who has a disability, I want to explore the intricate realms of trauma, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and the lesser-known, yet equally significant, Medical PTSD. Trauma has a way of leaving indelible imprints on our souls, but it also holds the potential for immense growth and resilience. Here, I invite you to explore the depths of your own story, offering insights, strategies, and heartfelt support as we traverse the path towards recovery, redemption, and renewed hope.
What is trauma?
For those new to the concept of trauma, it is crucial to understand that it encompasses a wide range of distressing experiences that can have lasting effects on an individual’s mental, emotional, and physical well-being. Trauma can result from various sources such as abuse, violence, accidents, natural disasters, or witnessing life-threatening events. It goes beyond just the immediate impact and can lead to long-term difficulties in coping with everyday life. As a therapist, it is important to approach trauma with empathy and sensitivity, recognizing that each person’s experience is unique. By creating a safe and non-judgmental space, therapists can help individuals explore their trauma, process their emotions, and ultimately embark on a healing journey towards reclaiming their lives.
What is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)?
PTSD is a specific psychological condition that usually develops after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. It manifests in a range of symptoms, including intrusive memories, nightmares, flashbacks, hyperarousal, and avoidance of triggers associated with the trauma. As therapists, it is essential to recognize that PTSD can profoundly impact an individual’s daily functioning, relationships, and overall quality of life. Therapists can support individuals in managing their symptoms, reducing distress, and gradually reintegrating into a sense of safety and control.
What about Medical PTSD?
While often overshadowed by the more widely known PTSD, Medical PTSD deserves equal attention and understanding. It refers to the psychological distress that arises from traumatic medical experiences, such as surgeries, invasive procedures, medical errors, or chronic illness. Medical settings, despite their intention to heal, can be overwhelming, triggering intense fear, anxiety, and a loss of trust in healthcare professionals. The haunting memories and painful procedures from past hospitalisation can etch deep scars, leading to the development of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). As therapists, it is important to acknowledge the unique challenges faced by individuals with Medical PTSD, and to create a space where they can express their emotions, fears, and frustrations without judgment. By helping people navigate their trauma within the medical context, therapists can empower them to regain control over their healthcare journey and restore a sense of safety and trust.
Fear and anxieties around a person’s health is normal, but when clients come with intense feelings, it is important to notice that something else may be going on here. For example, clients have come to me after multiple surgeries, needing post-op care but unable to step in to the hospital to get it. At first I think about how helpful the surgeries have been and how helpful the post-op care could be (my own experience), yet I haven’t thought about the negative impact of all of these hospital experiences on the client.
Data shows that over a quarter of individuals who experience an acute, life-threatening event, such as a heart attack, stroke, or respiratory failure suffer traumatic symptoms as a result (Edmondson, 2015). A diagnosis of a serious illness can result in symptoms of PTSD. Most studies focusing on Medical PTSD were conducted with cancer patients, yet the experience of a disability and the consistency of these experiences is very close (grieving life, dependency on health-care, reliance on people to keep you in the best condition possible, to name a few).
How is Medical PTSD Unique?
Medical PTSD looks a lot like other forms of PTSD. People may experience flashbacks (when the body and mind experience a traumatic event as though it were happening in the present moment), panic attacks, and intrusive thoughts. They might avoid people, places and activities to manage the intensity of their feelings. For example, they may not visit loved ones in the hospital, or might skip medical appointments. There are, however, a few key differences.
With many forms of PTSD, triggering events are often in the past. For example, a person who has a car accident may suffer from flashbacks, but experiences some comfort in not having to drive. A woman who has been physically and verbally abused by her husband may experience some relief in her symptoms once he is no longer an active part of her life.
For people who experience Medical PTSD, however, avoidance may not be possible. A person who hyperventilates when he sees the hospital may have to endure those reactions to continue treatment for a chronic or serious condition. A woman with heart disease may have a device that shocks her heart, a jolt that both saves her life and makes her live in fear of the next jolt, which she can’t control. “Our bodies are the source of danger, and, as such, it can seem that a safe haven is not available.” (Chronic Illness and Trauma Disorders)
Treating Medical PTSD begins with validating the individual’s experience and normalizing their symptoms, as these emotions are often downplayed or dismissed within healthcare settings in the aim to ‘heal’ physically. Offering a safe space where people can be heard and affirmed is an important step towards healing. Teaching anxiety management, skills and promoting self-advocacy can help clients gain a sense of control, empowering them to soothe their symptoms and seek assistance when needed.
Engaging in activities that foster a connection with the body as a safe and strong entity can counter the perception of the body as sick, weak, and vulnerable. Trauma-informed practices such as yoga, qigong, swimming, breathwork, or other body-focused activities can guide individuals to explore their bodies while being mindful of any traumatic cues.
Additionally, narrative work, a form of expressive therapy, can assist people in reclaiming their illness stories and uncovering previously unrecognized strengths and coping mechanisms. This therapeutic approach facilitates the identification of potential triggers and provides clients with a renewed sense of agency, reducing feelings of helplessness in the face of their symptoms.
As we reach the end of our exploration into the world of Medical PTSD, it is important to remember that healing is possible. The journey may be challenging, but with the right strategies, support, and a compassionate approach, you can reclaim your life and find renewed hope. By understanding the influence of Medical PTSD on your emotional well-being, relationships, and overall quality of life, you have taken a significant step towards healing.
