CONDITIONS WE TREAT

CHRONIC ILLNESS & MEDICAL TRAUMA

Medical trauma can be understood as emotional and physical responses to pain, injury, serious illness, medical procedures, the stress of chronic or terminal illness, and frightening treatment experiences. Medical trauma may lead to anxiety, depression, and/or symptoms associated with posttraumatic stress like flashbacks or avoidance of triggering situations (ex. avoiding necessary doctor appointments) among other symptoms.

Common conditions we treat within the realm of chronic illness and medical trauma:

  • fibromyalgia,

  • chronic fatigue syndrome,

  • autoimmune disorders,

  • irritable bowel syndrome (IBS),

  • reproductive health issues,

  • chronic pelvic pain,

  • and more.

COMPLEX & DEVELOPMENTAL TRAUMA

It can be helpful to think of trauma as any event or ongoing experience that has had a significant negative or harmful impact on your life. Developmental trauma (sometimes referred to as complex PTSD) is the result of “invisible” childhood experiences of being mistreated or abused that have been repeated many times. Some of these collective experiences may involve neglect, emotional/verbal abuse, or manipulation by a parent or primary caregiver. Some pervasive experiences of complex trauma are a deep-seated sense of shame, a feeling of isolation and disconnection, inexplicable fear, struggles with emotional regulation and distress tolerance, and more.

 

POSTTRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER (PTSD)

When someone is exposed to shocking and scary events like actual or threatened death, serious injury, or sexual violence there is a chance of developing PTSD. While it is normal to need time and support to process any of the above examples, people experiencing exaggerated, prolonged, intrusive, recurrent, and involuntary symptoms may require additional mental health treatment. PTSD symptoms can manifest in a variety of ways that interfere with functioning at work, at home, in relationships, and when alone. The difference in developing PTSD and having difficulty adjusting after witnessing or experiencing traumatic events is the length of time the distress lasts.

GRIEF

Grief is a normal, universal, and individual experience in response to loss. Some people experience grief as persistent overwhelm, disconnection from daily life, despair, as well as other physical and emotional manifestations. The loss you find yourself grieving doesn’t have to be concrete like the death of a loved one or the ending of an important relationship. People also grieve things like the loss of independence through disability or a terminal diagnosis—even the loss of the life you imagined for yourself before a medical trauma or other life changes.

 

DEPRESSION

Depression is more than just feeling sad, or “blue” and it shows up differently for everyone. Typically feelings of sadness are persistent and significantly interfere with your quality of life and ability to function. There are some people who experience depression in a visible way and for others it can be invisible (even to those closest to them). Depression is common and treatable, so even if it feels hopeless at the moment, we’re here to remind you that it’s not hopeless forever.

ANXIETY

Anxiety is often experienced as feelings of tension, worried thoughts, and physical changes like racing heart or increased blood pressure. Stress, anxiety, fear, and worry vary from person to person. Anytime someone struggles with anxiety there is a reason for it and it’s important not to judge. Instead, it’s a good time to learn about the root cause while addressing the symptoms in the present.

 

FAMILY/COUPLE CONFLICT

There are many events and ongoing experiences that lead to troubled relationships with your partner, children, other family members or close friends. These conflicts can arise due to marital or financial problems, the impacts of substance abuse or mental illness on the family system, or perhaps the complex impact of an individual in the relationship having a chronic illness or medical disability. The source of conflict is unique to each family or partner system. At Pain Trauma Institute we are keenly aware of the troubling dynamics and distress that arise for both the individual with chronic illness or chronic pain as well as the family members involved.

CAREGIVER BURNOUT

Burnout is sometimes referred to as secondary traumatic stress. The role of caring for chronically ill or unwell individuals can be deeply challenging no matter how much you love that person or your job. Caregiver burnout is more than a state of physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion. It can also include a sense of helplessness or moral fatigue where it feels as though there is no longer a “right thing to do” or that you are unable to derive meaning from the task at hand. Burnout is complex and can manifest with symptoms of anxiety, depression, grief, physiological changes like fatigue and more.

 

A NOTE ON CONDITIONS

If you are struggling with something that hasn’t been clearly identified in the above descriptions know that they are not exhaustive. These are some of the most common issues presented in our practice and there are additional conditions that Pain Trauma Institute clinicians are trained to treat. Additionally, if you find that you are self-diagnosing as you read about mental health conditions as you browse our website (or any resource) please take a step back and know that since all humans have mental health, we can find pieces of ourselves in any description of a condition or diagnosis and that is natural. One of the most important aspects of successful mental health treatment is the therapeutic relationship. If there is something that you’ve read so far that resonates, schedule a consultation with Pain Trauma Institute by calling (442) 777-2040 or online.