When you or someone you love has been the victim of medical malpractice, you may experience a high level of emotional turmoil in addition to the physical problems associated with what happened. You went to your doctor as a professional and someone you could trust. When you go in for procedures or treatment, you are putting your life in someone else’s hands. When that person proves to be untrustworthy and makes a serious mistake that impacts your health and future, it is natural to feel betrayed.
Going forward, the betrayal associated with medical malpractice may leave you unable to trust medical professionals, which will negatively impact your health even further. You may develop anxiety-caused panic attacks when you are in a situation that forces you to seek medical attention. If the malpractice was against someone you love like a spouse or child, you might feel an additional level of guilt for not being able to protect the people that you love.
There are a few things you can do to help you cope with the emotional turmoil caused by medical malpractice.
For many, seeking compensation for injuries due to medical malpractice is very important. The settlement provides financial relief and peace of mind knowing you and your family will be taken care of, but it also holds the medical professionals responsible for their actions. If you choose to seek compensation, it is critical to get a lawyer with years of experience in medical malpractice.
Hospitals and medical groups have powerful teams of lawyers that will work to ensure malpractice lawsuits fall in their favor. You will need a lawyer that has the experience and power to fight for you. Howard Fensterman is a lawyer and philanthropist out of New York that specializes in medical malpractice. He is the kind of lawyer you want on your side when you are going up against a hospital or medical group.
Aside from seeking compensation and holding them responsible for their actions, many find relief from their emotional turmoil in their faith. Regardless of how you see your higher power or what religion you subscribe to, turning to a higher power when you are in chaos can provide understanding, calm, and serenity.
If you are unaccustomed to seeking spiritual relief, you can start by simply reading the Bible and asking for help. The Thompson Chain-Reference Bible is an excellent resource for those unfamiliar with the Bible. You can seek out passages that relate to what you are feeling in the moment and gain a better understanding of God’s word.
Finally, you can seek out professional counseling to help you sort through your thoughts and feelings. If you do find some level of comfort from your faith, you can seek out a spiritual-based counselor, who will expand on your already established beliefs. Otherwise, you can seek out a counselor that specializes in trauma, post-traumatic stress disorder, or depression and anxiety related to trauma.
A mental health professional can help you better understand what you are going through and teach you tools that you can use to calm your mind when it starts spinning out of control. Depending on the severity of your symptoms, your counselor may also make referrals for you to get medication to help control your symptoms until you have had a chance to address the root cause.
Regardless of the route you chose, it is essential not to ignore your symptoms. Seek out help and support; no one needs to suffer alone. Do not maintain the mindset that you need to get over it—medical malpractice results in a level of trauma that not everyone can understand.
