Medical Trauma Expert Christen Mullane shares How to Recover from Medical PTSD

Have you had a scary medical experience that left you feeling broken? Medical PTSD, aka Medical Trauma can leave you with Health anxiety, and make you avoid going to the doctor. Dr. Christen Mullane's website: https://www.ginkgoleafhealth.com/ The other video on Medical Trauma:    • How to Heal from Medical Trauma aka Medica...   Learn the skills to Regulate your Emotions, join the membership: https://courses.therapyinanutshell.co... When medical care becomes traumatic, healing can feel complicated. In this interview, I sit down with Dr. Christen Mullane, a psychologist who specializes in medical trauma and PTSD, to talk about what happens when the very places meant to help us—hospitals, procedures, diagnoses—end up leaving emotional scars. We’ll explore: What medical trauma and medical PTSD really are Why medical experiences can trigger symptoms like anxiety, panic, or avoidance How to start feeling safe in your body again after trauma The “Enduring Somatic Threat” model and why it helps explain lingering symptoms Practical steps to begin recovery and regain trust in the medical system If you’ve ever felt dismissed, terrified, or powerless during a medical experience, this conversation offers understanding, validation, and hope. Looking for affordable online counseling? My sponsor, BetterHelp, connects you to a licensed professional from the comfort of your own home. Try it now for 10% off your first month: https://betterhelp.com/therapyinanuts... 00:00 Introducing Dr. Christen Mullane 00:42 Understanding Medical Trauma and PTSD 02:23 Physical Symptoms as Triggers for Health Anxiety 03:15 Complexities of Medical Trauma Diagnosis 05:06 Social isolation due to medical or chronic health issues 05:50 Medical Debt Fuels Trauma and Stress 08:09 The Impact of Medical Trauma on Beliefs 10:49 Enduring Somatic Threat Model 13:35 Therapeutic Approaches to Medical Trauma 14:03 How to Deal with Panic Attacks and Health Anxiety 16:20 Grounding and Resourcing in Trauma Treatment 17:41 Building Trust and Autonomy in Medical Settings 19:52 The Journey of Healing from Medical Trauma 22:30 Redefining Health and Identity Post-Trauma 24:56 Adapting to Change and Embracing Transformation 28:11 Reframing Medical Trauma Narratives 30:39 Vicarious Trauma 31:45 The Importance of Witnessing in Healing 32:32 Practical Exercises for Managing Trauma Responses 35:14 Grounding Techniques in Exposure Therapy 36:36 Chunking Medical Procedures for Anxiety Management 40:05 Empowering Patients in Medical Settings 42:27 Factors Contributing to Medical Trauma 46:05 Advocacy for Healthcare Workers and Patients FREE Mental Health Resources: https://courses.therapyinanutshell.co... Check out my podcast, Therapy in a Nutshell: https://tinpodcast.podbean.com/ Therapy in a Nutshell and the information provided by Emma McAdam are solely intended for informational and entertainment purposes and are not a substitute for advice, diagnosis, or treatment regarding medical or mental health conditions. Although Emma McAdam is a licensed marriage and family therapist, the views expressed on this site or any related content should not be taken for medical or psychiatric advice. Always consult your physician before making any decisions related to your physical or mental health. In therapy I use a combination of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Systems Theory, positive psychology, and a bio-psycho-social approach to treating mental illness and other challenges we all face in life. The ideas from my videos are frequently adapted from multiple sources. Many of them come from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, especially the work of Steven Hayes, Jason Luoma, and Russ Harris. The sections on stress and the mind-body connection derive from the work of Stephen Porges (the Polyvagal theory), Peter Levine (Somatic Experiencing) Francine Shapiro (EMDR), and Bessel Van Der Kolk. I also rely heavily on the work of the Arbinger institute for my overall understanding of our ability to choose our life's direction. And deeper than all of that, the Gospel of Jesus Christ orients my personal worldview and sense of security, peace, hope, and love https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/c... If you are in crisis, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/ or 988 or your local emergency services. Copyright Therapy in a Nutshell, LLC