When it comes to trauma, no single person is immune. However, women are twice as likely to experience some type of traumatic event than men. With medical trauma, that scale can be tipped even a little further. Medical trauma is considered a physiological or psychological response to some negative, likely traumatic, experience within a medical setting.
Signs Of Medical Trauma
With medical trauma, symptoms can be similar to those of other types of trauma. Things to be watchful for include:
Anxiety, in this case, pertaining to a medical issue
Aversion to the source of trauma, i.e., medical professionals or doctors
Depression
Fear
Gastrointestinal issues
Mood disorders or strong emotional responses
Nightmares or other sleep disturbances
Body aches
Causes Of Medical Trauma
Any negatively charged event within a healthcare setting can lead to medical trauma experiences. Common situations that are more likely to cause this include:
Child birthing experiences
Cancer
Heart attacks or emergent cardiac issues
ICU stays
Implications For Women
Childbirth
It should be no surprise to anyone that women are having a more difficult time getting pregnant and experiencing complications that come with it. It has become a much more open topic of discussion everywhere, from conversations amongst friends to news headlines for the celeb types.
Roughly 45% of women who have given birth report experiencing birthing trauma. Leading causes include emergent c-sections, obstetrician abuse, or their newborn requiring a NICU stay. OB abuse may be the last thing you think of with the birthing process, but it can involve discrimination with care, non-confidential care, physical abuse, or even forced procedures.
Heart Attacks
Heart attacks are still the leading cause of death for men and women. Due to differing symptoms, women can be more vulnerable to heart attack complications. Unlike men, symptoms in women can be more vague and unrelated to chest tightness. Shortness of breath, neck and jaw pain, dizziness, fatigue, indigestion, and sweating is more characteristic for women.
Without knowing these signs and symptoms, heart attacks can become more severe for women. Not being able to get yourself properly checked at a medical facility due to misdiagnosis can lead to trauma. This leads to the next point.
Believability
It is an unfair part of the current world, but women are less believed in medical circumstances than their male counterparts. Trying to have a health matter fully heard and investigated properly could take multiple visits and second opinions.
If advocating for yourself is outside your wheelhouse, this could be a great time to start. Women start with a disadvantage, but never be afraid to fight for yourself when it comes to your health, medical, physical, or mental.
Cultural Considerations
If you are in a minority group, the odds may also be against you. For example, African American women face a higher risk for birth trauma. Racial considerations play a part, as well as proper care access due to geographical location and the poverty line. Reduced care can lead to associated hospital problems and the resulting trauma experiences.
The costs of healthcare and insurance are only increasing. Minority populations hold much higher percentage rates of being uninsured compared to Caucasian Americans. Being uninsured can most certainly lead to discrepancies in care or even aversion to medical facilities, thus increasing the likelihood of a traumatic event.
Moving Forward
It is important to know your circumstances and be an advocate for yourself, especially as a woman. Recognize your trauma and know you have a right to heal from anything that has happened to you.
There are coping mechanisms and practices to help in this process. If you or a loved one are experiencing trauma stemming from a medical event, let us help you work through it. Reach out for a free consultation today.
Learn more about our Trauma Therapy. Serving Boulder, Longmont, Denver.
