Emily’s Story
Emily’s Story: Why Trauma Informed Care is Necessary
Emily, a young woman of 27, found herself overwhelmed by life’s challenges, and on a particularly challenging evening, she decided to seek help at the local emergency department. Faint scars on her wrists spoke of battles past, and her teary eyes showcased the current storm inside her.
Upon arrival, the hustle and bustle of the emergency room seemed to exacerbate her anxiety. The overhead fluorescent lights bore into her eyes, and the cacophony of monitors and hushed conversations did little to soothe her. Emily, desperate for understanding, tried to communicate her distress to the first nurse she encountered.
However, a busy ER environment isn’t always conducive to patient-centric conversations. Without a trauma-informed approach, the nurse quickly assessed Emily’s vitals and determined she wasn’t an immediate threat to herself. She was hastily guided to a secluded room to wait for a psychiatric evaluation.
Hours went by with Emily’s anxiety growing. Recollections of past traumas, coupled with the cold, sterile environment, sent her into a panicked state. When she finally got to see the on-call psychiatrist, the rushed consultation wasn’t enough to delve deep into Emily’s distress. Feeling unheard, Emily’s distress escalated. The mounting panic made her irrationally fearful, and in her bid to leave the room, she inadvertently knocked over medical equipment.
Viewing this as a potential threat, hospital staff quickly decided to restrain Emily. The team that arrived, however, lacked the training and experience with proper restraint procedures. Their uncertainty was evident, fumbling with the straps and exchanging puzzled glances. Emily, already in distress, perceived this not as an act of safety but as one of confinement and aggression. Flashbacks of a traumatic event from her childhood, where she had been physically confined, raced through her mind.
As the restraints were clumsily affixed, Emily felt every ounce of trust she had in the medical system shatter. The team’s apparent lack of knowledge and the cold detachment with which she was treated left her more traumatized than before. The room, intended to be a haven of care, morphed into a prison cell in her mind.
After a brief observation, Emily was discharged. But as she left the hospital corridors, she carried more than just her personal belongings. She took with her the scars of re-traumatization, a new wound to an already fragile psyche.
Emily’s story serves as a stark reminder of the impact healthcare environments can have on individuals, particularly when a trauma-informed approach is overlooked. As healthcare professionals, there is a profound responsibility to do no harm. It’s not just about addressing the physical, but also the mental and emotional well-being of every individual, ensuring that their interaction with the healthcare system doesn’t leave them worse off than when they arrived.
