“Is It Just Me or Was That Appointment... Traumatizing?” – Let’s Talk Medical Trauma

Let’s paint a picture. You go to the doctor because something feels off. You’ve been Googling symptoms (yes, we all do it), and now you’re low-key convinced it’s something serious. But when you finally get that appointment, the provider barely makes eye contact, interrupts you three times, and somehow makes you feel like you’re being dramatic. You leave with a vague diagnosis, a prescription you’re not sure you need, and a sinking feeling that you weren’t really heard.

Cue the anxiety. And not just from whatever's happening in your body—but from the experience itself.

That, my friends, is medical trauma.

And if this hits close to home? You’re definitely not alone.

So, What Is Medical Trauma?

Medical trauma is the emotional, psychological, and sometimes even physical fallout from a negative or harmful medical experience. It's not always about dramatic emergencies or surgeries gone wrong (though that happens, too). Sometimes, it's death by a thousand paper cuts—being dismissed, talked over, misdiagnosed, or treated like a chart instead of a human being.

And here’s where it gets extra spicy (and not in a fun way):
Medical trauma doesn’t hit everyone equally.

Let’s Talk About Discrimination in Healthcare

If you're Black, brown, disabled, LGBTQIA+, fat, neurodivergent, or just someone who doesn't fit the “default” mold of what the medical system was designed around? You've probably already got stories. Stories of being treated like you're exaggerating, like you're noncompliant, like you're somehow the problem.

Maybe you showed up in pain, but the doctor assumed you were drug-seeking.
Maybe you needed care, but your insurance—or lack of it—determined how seriously you were taken.
Maybe you felt invisible in that exam room. Again.

That kind of repeated dismissal? It gets into your bones. It makes it harder to seek care in the future, because your nervous system is like, “Hard pass. Remember what happened last time?”

Medical Gaslighting: It’s Not in Your Head (Even If They Say It Is)

Ah yes, the classic: “Everything looks normal.”
Translation: “We ran one test and didn’t find anything, so… you must be fine.”

Spoiler alert: Not fine.

Medical gaslighting happens when your concerns are minimized, brushed off, or twisted into something else. It can look like being told your symptoms are “just anxiety,” when your gut is screaming that something deeper is going on. It’s frustrating. It’s scary. And it’s not okay.

Because yes—your provider may be the medical professional, but you are the expert on your body.
Nobody lives in it 24/7 but you. Nobody feels what you feel. And your experience deserves respect.

So, How Do You Heal from This?

Just saying “go to the doctor” again isn’t always a neutral suggestion. For many people, that sterile-smelling room triggers fight-or-flight. That table with the crinkly paper? PTSD flashbacks. That rushed appointment? Instant shutdown.

Here are a few tips to gently reclaim your power:

• Bring an advocate: A friend, a partner, a family member—someone who can take notes, ask questions, and be your backup if things get dismissive.

• Prepare questions in advance: Write them down. It’s easy to freeze in the moment.

• Assert yourself: Easier said than done, but you are allowed to say things like, “I’m not comfortable with that,” or “I don’t feel heard right now.”

• Ask for clarification: If a provider throws a bunch of jargon at you, ask for plain language. You deserve to understand what’s happening in your own body.

• Take breaks: If you’re feeling overwhelmed, it’s okay to pause, reschedule, or even switch providers. You don’t have to power through.

And if you need to cry in the car afterward? Totally valid. Been there.

The Long Game: Building Trust Again

Recovering from medical trauma means slowly rebuilding a sense of safety. It might mean finding a provider who actually listens. It might mean learning how to ground yourself before an appointment. It might mean giving yourself permission to try again, even when it's scary.

And it definitely means reminding yourself, often, that you’re not too much. You’re not being dramatic. You’re advocating for your health in a system that doesn’t always make it easy.

So if your body’s been whispering (or screaming) for help, and your past experiences have made you hesitant, I just want to say: I see you. I believe you. You deserve better.