Read on Twitter
Odd thread for the middle of the night, but I think it's truly important to remember (and occasionally specify) that Medical Trauma and Medical PTSD exist on a wide spectrum of kinds and impact.
It doesn't all mean the same thing bc they fit neatly under the hashtag #MedTrauma
It doesn't all mean the same thing bc they fit neatly under the hashtag #MedTrauma
(TW: types of medical trauma)
For example:
- There are traumas that are purely physical/biologic; those that are just wholly unavoidable and no one's fault. It may include traumatizing procedures, symptoms, accidents, surgeries, emergencies, med reactions, etc.
For example:
- There are traumas that are purely physical/biologic; those that are just wholly unavoidable and no one's fault. It may include traumatizing procedures, symptoms, accidents, surgeries, emergencies, med reactions, etc.
(TW: med trauma types)
These are things that may haunt a patient for years and trigger them any time they must revisit any familar aspect. It may cause feelings of body betrayal, helplessness, loss of control, terror, fear of lost life/bodily integrity/mental function, etc.
These are things that may haunt a patient for years and trigger them any time they must revisit any familar aspect. It may cause feelings of body betrayal, helplessness, loss of control, terror, fear of lost life/bodily integrity/mental function, etc.
(TW: med trauma)
- Then there's med trauma that includes dr error, abuse and/or neglect. These traumas often WERE avoidable and can involve things like procedures, Rxs, surgeries, infections, emergencies, etc TERRIBLY mishandled. Some are from honest mistakes, other times abuse.
- Then there's med trauma that includes dr error, abuse and/or neglect. These traumas often WERE avoidable and can involve things like procedures, Rxs, surgeries, infections, emergencies, etc TERRIBLY mishandled. Some are from honest mistakes, other times abuse.
(TW: med trauma)
These traumas can create distrust/fear of not only healthcare workers but anyone in a caretaking role, wounding betrayal, righteous anger, helplessness, HOPElessness, questioning self and others ("could they have stopped it?" "is it my fault?"), and much more.
These traumas can create distrust/fear of not only healthcare workers but anyone in a caretaking role, wounding betrayal, righteous anger, helplessness, HOPElessness, questioning self and others ("could they have stopped it?" "is it my fault?"), and much more.
(TW: med trauma)
- Then there's longterm med trauma. Sometimes this is subtle and accumulates into trauma, other times it's a collection of overt actions. It may involve gaslighting, chronic invalidation, longterm neglect, med mismgmt, reckless treatment plans, lack of edu, etc.
- Then there's longterm med trauma. Sometimes this is subtle and accumulates into trauma, other times it's a collection of overt actions. It may involve gaslighting, chronic invalidation, longterm neglect, med mismgmt, reckless treatment plans, lack of edu, etc.
It can cause complete distrust in one's self, body, pain and symptoms; distrust in doctors/healthcare or ANY systems set up to help the vulnerable, chronic sense if helplessness, appt anxiety, ignoring personal limits, more global feelings of betrayal, real physical damage, etc.
TW: med trauma
- Then ofc are traumas w/ shades of them all or following a prior type -- again making the impact of each trauma stack and dig deeper. This list isn't comprehensive either.
But not all Med Trauma is equal. Some are interpersonal, others physical. Each is unique.
- Then ofc are traumas w/ shades of them all or following a prior type -- again making the impact of each trauma stack and dig deeper. This list isn't comprehensive either.
But not all Med Trauma is equal. Some are interpersonal, others physical. Each is unique.
Each can leave pts terribly confused on how to feel, struggling to advocate, terrified of hospitals, drs offices or treatment regimens.
The panic, the flbks, the mental duress, the damage to one's bodily integrity, etc, may all be consistent themes, but no two are alike. At all.
The panic, the flbks, the mental duress, the damage to one's bodily integrity, etc, may all be consistent themes, but no two are alike. At all.
