11 Signs You May Have Experienced Medical Trauma
Although it can be difficult to know, we put together 11 signs listed below that suggest you may have experienced medical trauma. If you experience all or even a few of these, however, we can’t say with certainty that you have experienced medical trauma. Diagnoses around medical trauma and even potential PTSD take time and require proper evaluation by mental health professionals. This being said, we do hope they can provide you with added insight that may be beneficial and lead you towards accessing the proper guidance and support you need and deserve.
11 Signs You May Have Experienced Medical Trauma:
1.) You feel unsafe in medical settings. These can include doctor’s offices, hospitals, or even in a virtual medical appointment from your own home.
2.) You experience significant anxiety prior to, during, and/or after appointments.
3.) You have developed significant anxiety specific to your health, symptoms, and other health-related concerns.
4.) You avoid smells, items, TV shows, movies, people, or places that remind you of your medical trauma and/or negative experiences.
5.) You put off making needed doctor's appointments or medical procedures due to past experiences.
6.) Certain smells commonly used in medical settings, such as cleaning supplies, are triggering for you.
7.) You avoid going to clinics, the hospital, and/or doctor’s appointments as much as possible, and may cancel at the last second out of fear.
8.) You avoid sharing details about your health out of fear that you will need more testing or be dismissed.
9.) You find yourself feeling defeated and shutting down during and/or after medical appointments or healthcare-related experiences.
10.) You would rather suffer in silence with your symptoms than reach out to a healthcare provider about concerns you have.
11.) You experience nightmares or flashbacks specific to medical procedures or events.