Trusting someone with your health and wellbeing is a significant step. That’s why the impacts of a healthcare professional letting you down often have such serious consequences. Underlying health issues can be cause for concern and worry-inducing enough, but load the negative feelings associated with medical negligence on top and you’ve got a recipe for significant emotional turmoil.
What is medical negligence?
Medical negligence happens when the level of care provided by a medical professional to a patient falls below what is expected and results in injury or illness, or causes an existing condition to get worse.
This can happen anywhere in the healthcare system, including through misdiagnosis, improper treatment and mistakes during surgery. Whatever the reason for medical negligence, the consequences can be significant for patients and their surrounding friends and family.
How can medical negligence impact someone psychologically?
The psychological consequences of medical negligence are unique to every individual and each case, but many have profound impacts. The initial anxiety, worry and uncertainty of medical conditions are sure to be compounded in the case of medical negligence, where symptoms persist, get worse or another condition arises.
Trauma isn’t uncommon after someone suffers medical negligence. For example, being left with serious health complications after misdiagnosis delays the correct treatment often leaves patients feeling confused, angry and upset. Some may even experience symptoms of PTSD and suffer the long-term psychological consequences associated with this condition.
Medical negligence leading to extended or new levels of pain can also increase the chance of anxiety and depression. Studies show that people suffering from chronic pain are far more likely to also struggle with these conditions, with an inevitable link between emotional and physical pain.
Supporting mental health after medical negligence
Protecting your mental health, or even rebuilding it, after a case of medical negligence is something many people struggle with. These are some of the best ways to help yourself or someone else:
- Strong support networks: Having the right people around you is so important at difficult times like these. Whether it’s friends and/or family, a strong support network is a strong foundation to rebuild from.
- Go at your pace: Many people aren’t ready to return to normal daily life in the aftermath of medical negligence. Rebuilding trust and confidence takes time, so it’s best to take things at a speed that is comfortable for you.
- Get the basics right: Any recovery process relies on a strong foundation including sleep, proper diet and exercise. These can be difficult to do if you’re having a hard time, but if you’re able to do them consistently, these factors are likely to help your mental and physical wellbeing in the long term.
Talking therapy: There are often lots of unanswered questions when it comes to medical negligence. Processing emotions such as anger and confusion is usually best done with a talking therapist, also known as a counsellor. They can help you come to terms with what’s happened and give you tools and strategies to manage your thoughts and feelings.
Luciana, a proud Brazilian, blends her passion for jiu-jitsu with a deep-rooted connection to spirituality and well-being. Her dedication to the martial art reflects not just a physical discipline, but a holistic approach to life, seeking balance in mind, body, and spirit. Whether on the mats or in meditation, Luciana embodies the essence of harmony and inner strength.