When Medicine Hurts: What Is Medical Trauma? Recognizing the Emotional Impact of Healthcare Experiences

Medical trauma isn’t always dramatic or life-threatening. Sometimes, it’s subtle—an accumulation of dismissive comments, rushed appointments, or invasive procedures that leave emotional scars. If you’ve ever felt anxious before a routine check-up, avoided care due to past experiences, or felt emotionally unsafe in a medical setting, you may be living with medical trauma.

Medical trauma can result from:

• Emergency procedures or ICU stays

• Misdiagnoses or delayed diagnoses

• Chronic illness management

• Reproductive health experiences (e.g., miscarriage, infertility, birth trauma)

• Dismissal or disbelief by medical professionals

Symptoms may include:

• Hypervigilance around medical settings

• Panic attacks or dissociation during appointments

• Avoidance of care

• Feelings of helplessness, shame, or rage

Therapy offers a space to process these experiences, rebuild trust in your body, and explore healing on your terms.

If this resonates, download my free worksheet “Reflecting on Medical Trauma” to begin exploring your own story.