Trauma does not discriminate against whom it will impact. It can impact anyone, regardless of gender, race, sexuality, or upbringing. Medical trauma can happen to anyone; however, women are more likely to experience it than men.
Medical trauma is a mental or physical response to something negative that was experienced either with one's health or in a medical setting.
Signs of Medical Trauma
After going through something medically traumatic, it's common to experience PTSD symptoms. These signs may include:
Anxiety, especially regarding medical-related issues
Avoidance of medical doctors or other professionals
Depression
Fear
Stomach issues
Headaches
Muscle tension/aches
Sleep disturbance/insomnia
Nightmares
Flashbacks/intrusive memories
Examples of Medical Trauma
Some of the most common situations that cause medical trauma for a woman are:
Complications during pregnancy
Childbirth/labor experiences
Cancer
Chronic illnesses/pain
Hospital stays
Surgery/emergency surgery
Physical trauma/pain caused by accidents or injury
Now, the question is, why are women more susceptible to medical trauma?
What Makes A Woman Vulnerable to Medical Trauma
Complications During Pregnancy/Childbirth/Trying To Get Pregnant
This is a medical situation that is exclusive to those assigned female at birth. Women who have a hard time getting pregnant may experience trauma or anxiety symptoms after the emotional and physical toll that it puts on their bodies.
Additionally, women can experience complications early on during the pregnancy. These complications, unfortunately, often cause a woman to be considered a high-risk pregnancy; not only may their health and life be in danger, but their unborn child as well.
Labor itself can be traumatizing for women. Emergency c-sections, premature birth, or their newborn having to go into the NICU can all have a profound impact on a woman's mental health.
Discrimination/Lack of Belief
Unfortunately, many women, especially those in minority groups, can experience discrimination when it comes to their medical care. Women can face discrimination because of their race, geographical location, or socioeconomic status. All of which result in reduced care options or
Additionally, it's not uncommon for a woman to not be taken seriously when it comes to their health concerns. Women are often seen as more emotional and high-strung than their male counterparts. They can sometimes be viewed as overreacting or a hypochondriac when it comes to their physical and mental well-being.
Not being taken seriously by medical professionals is not only hard on someone's mental health. And it also puts them at higher risk of serious illness, injury, or other medical issues. It's not uncommon for women to need multiple visits or second opinions from doctors before they are finally given a proper diagnosis or testing.
Chronic Pain
While men experience chronic pain/illnesses, more women are likely to go to their healthcare providers about these issues. Sadly, this can be a disheartening experience for many women. First, as we said above, women are less likely to be believed for the medical issues they bring to their healthcare providers. This may result in their doctors brushing them off for a long period.
When they do finally get the process started of looking into auto-immune conditions, allergies, or neurological disorders, it isn't exactly a quick process. This not only prolongs any appropriate treatment but also causes a lack of trust in medical providers.
How To Heal From Medical Trauma
Similar to any other type of trauma, healing is always possible.
First, remind yourself that what happened or is happening to you is not your fault. You also aren't crazy for being impacted by something that happened to you. Accepting what you are feeling and not pushing it to the back of your mind is one of the first steps to healing from trauma of any kind.
Once you have finally reached the point where you are accepting your feelings, don't hesitate to reach out to a mental health professional such as myself. Not only am I a woman, but I have extensive experience working with women on the issues that they face. Counseling for women can help you find healing and strength you didn't know you had.
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