You're a woman who has had to have many medical procedures, surgeries, and treatments over time. You’ve reached the point that you keep dreading all the tests you've had to go through, the bloodwork, and even the invasive procedures. It's all to get answers or to help you find some relief but it's given you medical trauma. In those moments, you're feeling overwhelmed. It's as if you're not safe from the pain in your body or the pain that is being inflicted on it by the doctors.
All of this being repeated and taking a toll over time, it can be hard to cope with. Especially if you're also experiencing a traumatic response from what your body now perceives as a threat. This takes a toll on your mental health. Not many people understand that, even medical providers at times. That's why in this blog post, I'll be discussing how to better understand the impact of medical trauma on women's mental health.
What Can Cause Medical Trauma?
Medical trauma can be caused by a variety of experiences. From giving birth to cancer to chronic pain and illnesses such as Fibromyalgia. It can also come from repeated dismissal of pain or illness by medical providers. Or even the repeated invasive medical procedures and surgeries that often come with chronic illnesses or chronic pain.
When you can't process this trauma and have to experience it repeatedly, it can have a lasting impact on your mental health. You may feel anxious, depressed, and even scared or apprehensive to the point that it begins to affect your daily life. Especially, if your feelings are being dismissed by the ones who are supposed to be helping you.
How Medical Trauma Can Affect Mental Health
Living in constant fear of medical tests and procedures, as well as the pain and discomfort associated with them, can have a significant impact on mental health. When you're a woman who has complex medical needs where you have to continuously seek medical attention or undergo invasive procedures, it can be very discouraging and overwhelming. You may begin to feel anxious and fearful of the future.
Traumatic Childbirth
Childbirth is an experience that can be traumatizing for some women. It can also be difficult to process the trauma and can lead to depression or postpartum depression and anxiety (PPD/A). 15-20% of women experience PPD/A, according to Postpartum Support International. This means it's not a rare occurrence and it's not something to be ashamed of.
Women who also had a traumatic birth can also experience PPTSD (Postpartum Traumatic Stress Disorder). This is due to the body going through intense trauma, whether it be a difficult labor, c-section, or other medical intervention. It can lead to flashbacks and other symptoms of PTSD. Even leading women to struggle to bond with their children and even reconsider expanding their families. Baby blues is extremely common and temporary, but PPD/A and PPTSD last longer and require support.
Perinatal and Postpartum
Women who are perinatal and postpartum are at higher risk of experiencing mental health issues due to medical trauma. This is because they're already going through immense physical and emotional changes. Perinatal women also can go through traumatizing medical interventions during pregnancy or even invasive ones during labor and delivery.
Postpartum women are also susceptible to medical trauma due to the chance of birth trauma or complications. These can be near death or serious injury to themselves or their baby. As well as ongoing medical issues during postpartum recovery. All of this on top of adjusting to motherhood and hormonal changes can increase the risk of depression and anxiety.
Chronic Illness and Pain
Women with chronic illness and pain can also experience medical trauma. From the constant pain and fatigue to being in and out of doctor's offices. It can be hard to process the psychological toll it takes on you along with the physical toll. You may feel helpless and like no one is taking your pain or illness seriously. Or that it's not being properly managed. Not to mention the constant blood draws, tests, and even surgeries that may come with living with a chronic illness or pain.
It's all a lot. It can cause a lot of anxiety, depression, and fear. You may have anxiety that you'll have flare-ups around an important event or milestone. Or that you will need more frequent trips to the doctor's office. That they will become more invasive without providing any relief.
What You Can Do for Support?
Online therapy or online women's support groups are great options for those dealing with medical trauma. Support groups can be an opportunity to talk about the assumptions that come with the territory of motherhood or chronic illness. Provide psychoeducation on what medical trauma is as well as normalize that any medical intervention can be traumatizing.
For example, the support groups can cover how any birth is technically a trauma to the body. Even if the outcome is a healthy baby and mom. As well as how to cope with medical anxiety and find ways to feel more in control of health. For women with chronic pain or illness, support groups can help reduce isolation and find ways to better advocate for themselves with doctors. As well as learn coping skills to deal with medical anxiety or depression.
Online Therapy
Online therapy for women in Maryland is also a great choice. One that provides an opportunity to speak to a medical trauma therapist in Washington, DC from the comfort of your home. Especially when you may not feel up to leaving the house or have childcare. It can help process traumatic experiences, find coping skills for anxiety or depression, and feel heard. When dealing with the demands of motherhood, pain, illness, and trauma, saving time and energy for self-care is important. Overall, seeking professional support can help you feel less alone and find healing.
Begin Therapy For Medical Trauma in Washington, DC to Cope, Heal, and Thrive!
Understanding how medical trauma affects women's mental health is key. It can be hard to find support when you're used to other providers not taking your pain, illness, or trauma seriously. But at Greater Washington DC and New York City CBT Counseling for Women, I know your pain, feelings, and trauma are valid. I'm here to support you on your journey of healing, coping with medical trauma, and building self-confidence so that you can thrive in your life. Follow the steps below to get started on your journey to healing.
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Fill out our convenient online mental health services contact form.
Feel supported, heard, and understood today!
Other Mental Health Services Offered at Greater Washington DC and New York City CBT Counseling for Women
You deserve to be treated by someone who understands and believes your pain and trauma. Especially without judgment. I am an expert that specializes in women's health and understand that you may be seeking other services besides the support group. At Greater Washington DC and New York City CBT Counseling for Women, I offer an array of therapeutic services for anxiety, depression, and PTSD in both Individual and Group counseling settings. I also specialize in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Cognitive Processing Therapy in addition to CBT.