Trauma does not always fit neatly into a box or category. Many times, it is best comprehended through the eye of the beholder. While society may often agree on what constitutes a traumatic experience — e.g. death of a loved one, abuse (physical, sexual, emotional), natural disaster, etc. — there is so much more to consider. Miscarriage and infertility, for example, are often taboo topics. The experience of an early loss, however, is almost universally traumatic. With this in mind, it is essential that you better understand and identify post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The Trauma of Miscarriage

A recent study of women who endured a miscarriage offered some valuable and alarming insights into the aftermath. One month after the loss, nearly one in three of the women displayed symptoms of PTSD.

  • 11 percent of them showed signs of moderate to severe depression
  • 25 percent showed signs of moderate to severe anxiety

Following up none months later, the fallout persisted with 18 percent still showing signs of PTSD.

  • Moderate to severe depression: 6 percent
  • Moderate to severe anxiety: 17 percent

Women in this situation are at risk for PTSD for many reasons. For example:

  • The pain and bleeding of the actual miscarriage
  • Loss of their unborn child
  • Feeling inadequate or “less” than a woman
  • A sense of running out of time to become a parent
  • Shame, guilt, and self-blame

Miscarriage is under-discussed but, by no means, should this downplay its impact. Trauma — regardless of its source — can wreak havoc on your body and mind.

The Impact of Trauma

Some of the countless impacts include:

  • Denial
  • Mood swings
  • Loss of focus and concentration
  • Feeling numb
  • Withdrawal
  • Hopelessness
  • Emotional outbursts
  • Physical problems with sleeping, digestion, breathing, blood pressure, etc.
  • Substance abuse
  • PTSD

4 Signs You May Have PTSD After Your Miscarriage

1. Self-Blame

In an attempt to make sense of your loss, you may resort to blaming yourself. Producing an explanation, however hurtful, may seem to be a form of coping. But self-blame is usually an inaccurate, unhelpful re-write of your pregnancy story that runs the risk of leading to depression.

2. Reliving the Experience

You may explain what happened, over and over, to yourself and others. In more severe instances, the experience may become intrusive. During waking hours, you may become subject to jolting flashbacks. While sleeping, nightmares become the norm. Even as time passes, you can feel as if you’re not processing well or grieving thoroughly if the trauma continues to seem fresh.

3. Distorted Sense of Self (and Others)

Feeding off the self-blame, you might begin to view yourself in extremely negative ways. At the same time, your worldview can slip into black-and-white thinking, e.g.

  • “I just can’t trust anyone.”
  • “Bad things always happen.”
  • “Nothing is safe.”
  • “I’ve always had bad luck.”

4. Struggling With Day-to-Day Activities

Life goes on but, for the victims of trauma, this fact can appear more like an ugly threat. You have domestic responsibilities, work duties, and social connections to nurture but it’s all too much right now. If you already have other children, tending to their daily needs can feel impossible.

Help After a Miscarriage is Available — Even During a Crisis

Miscarriage is not something from which you simply “move on.” Despite the well-intentioned urgings of those around you, there’s no switch to flip to “get over it.” On the same note, PTSD is not something tackled with self-care alone. You need help and deserve help.

Even in a time of global turmoil, counseling is a necessary — and viable — choice. Whether you seek help in person, via video chat, or by phone, therapy is a proven path toward healing and recovery. If you’re dealing with post-miscarriage grief and trauma, I am here to listen and support you. Please contact me for a consultation soon.

Think of trauma counseling as your self-compassion training ground.