For many individuals on the journey to mental wellness or recovery from eating disorders, treatment is meant to be a space of healing and support. However, for some, past experiences in therapy or medical settings have left lasting emotional scars. This phenomenon, known as “treatment trauma,” occurs when previous treatment felt dismissive, overly restrictive, or even stigmatizing—leaving clients feeling misunderstood or invalidated rather than supported.
Treatment trauma can have profound effects on a person’s willingness to engage in future care. Many find themselves avoiding therapy, feeling distrustful of medical providers, or experiencing a “therapy hangover,” where distress lingers long after sessions end. Discussing treatment trauma is essential, not only for those affected by it but also for mental health professionals who strive to create truly healing environments.
Let’s revisit this topic, which we’ve discussed before, and explore what treatment trauma is, why it happens, and how individuals and providers can work together to support lasting, compassionate recovery.
What is Treatment Trauma?
Treatment trauma refers to the emotional and psychological impact that can arise from negative experiences in therapeutic, medical, or care settings. While treatment is intended to provide relief and healing, sometimes the care itself can leave people feeling hurt, invalidated, or even retraumatized.
This type of trauma often stems from rigid or restrictive protocols, dismissive interactions, or environments lacking empathy and warmth—experiences that may feel disempowering or stigmatizing to those seeking help.
Unlike the natural discomfort or challenge that may accompany progress in therapy, treatment trauma is rooted in moments where a person’s needs, boundaries, or individuality were overlooked or dismissed. This can lead to an aversion to future care, making it difficult to fully engage in the recovery process. Treatment trauma can affect anyone, but it is especially common among those with complex mental health conditions or eating disorders, as their unique needs often require more nuanced, trauma-sensitive care.
How Treatment Trauma Manifests
Treatment trauma can leave lasting psychological effects that may impact a person’s relationship with care long after the experience itself. Common manifestations of treatment trauma include heightened anxiety, a sense of dread around seeking help, and a feeling of distrust toward healthcare providers. Individuals may find themselves avoiding or delaying treatment due to fear of experiencing the same invalidation or rigidity they faced in previous settings.
Some people report a “therapy hangover”—a lingering emotional toll after sessions that can include sadness, exhaustion, or even physical symptoms. Feeling worse after therapy can make engaging in future therapy sessions daunting, as individuals worry about re-experiencing the discomfort associated with treatment. In more severe cases, treatment trauma can trigger post-traumatic stress responses, where people feel hypervigilant, disconnected, or overwhelmed by memories of past care.
For those with eating disorders or histories of trauma, trauma after therapy may also fuel coping mechanisms like disordered eating behaviors. Many individuals turn to these behaviors to manage intense feelings such as shame, dissociation, or hypervigilance—complicating both recovery and mental health. Recognizing these patterns is an important step toward addressing treatment trauma and making space for true healing.
Uncovering the Prevalence of Treatment Trauma in Eating Disorder Recovery
Treatment trauma is a significant concern for many individuals in recovery from eating disorders, as the experience of past trauma can deeply affect the process of seeking and receiving help. Interestingly, it’s a bit challenging to quantify, as there has been little research on treatment trauma as a discrete form of trauma.
We can, however, extrapolate from broad studies about trauma generally. Research highlights a strong link between trauma and eating disorders: studies show that up to 52% of those with eating disorders have experienced trauma, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). For some, disordered eating behaviors become a means of coping with complex trauma-related emotions such as shame, dissociation, and hypervigilance.
The prevalence of PTSD varies by type of eating disorder, with around 37-40% of individuals with bulimia and 26% of those with binge eating disorder (BED) reporting co-occurring PTSD. These individuals may engage in behaviors like binge eating or purging as a way to temporarily manage intense emotions or escape trauma memories. This creates a cycle that reinforces both the eating disorder and the underlying trauma, making recovery especially challenging without a trauma-informed approach.
Additionally, medical trauma—such as negative experiences in healthcare or therapeutic settings—affects approximately 20-30% of adults, contributing to symptoms of PTSD that can further complicate their recovery. Those who have experienced residential treatment trauma may be reluctant to seek further care, fearing retraumatization. By recognizing the prevalence of treatment trauma and addressing both trauma and eating disorder symptoms holistically, providers can support patients in breaking this cycle and achieving lasting healing.
The Role of Trauma-Informed Care in Healing
Trauma-informed care is essential in supporting individuals with treatment trauma, as it recognizes the profound impact that past negative experiences in care settings can have on recovery. This approach centers on creating a safe, compassionate, and respectful environment that prioritizes the needs of those with trauma histories, including those recovering from eating disorders. Unlike traditional methods, trauma-informed care addresses both the trauma and its associated symptoms, fostering an integrated pathway to healing.
The core principles of trauma-informed care
- safety,
- trustworthiness,
- collaboration,
- empowerment, and
- cultural sensitivity
are key to its effectiveness.
For those who have experienced treatment trauma, these principles help establish a sense of security and control, which are often undermined in past care experiences. For example, by involving clients in decision-making and respecting their boundaries, trauma-informed care rebuilds trust and allows individuals to feel more connected to their treatment journey.
For individuals with co-occurring PTSD and eating disorders, trauma-informed care can be transformative. When care settings acknowledge and address trauma-related emotions and behaviors, such as dissociation or hypervigilance, it can reduce the risk of relapse and improve overall treatment outcomes.
Trauma-informed care provides a holistic approach, supporting patients as they navigate both trauma and disordered eating, and promoting sustained recovery by meeting clients where they are with sensitivity and compassion.
Strategies for Healing from Treatment Trauma
Recovering from treatment trauma can be challenging, but these steps can help you regain trust in your healing journey:
- Acknowledge Your Experience Recognize that treatment trauma is valid. Processing past care experiences through journaling or with trusted support is a crucial first step.
- Practice Self-Advocacy Communicate your needs and boundaries with your providers. Reclaiming control in the therapeutic relationship helps ensure the care feels respectful and aligned with your goals.
- Prepare for “Therapy Hangovers” Plan time to rest or engage in comforting activities after sessions. Knowing that post-session emotions are normal can make them easier to handle.
- Build a Support Network Seek support from friends, family, or groups who understand your experience. Having a support network makes the healing process less isolating.
- Practice Self-Compassion Be patient with yourself. Healing from treatment trauma takes time, and it’s okay if the process isn’t linear.
- Seek Trauma-Informed Providers Look for therapists or programs that emphasize trauma-informed care, creating a safe environment that avoids triggering practices.
With the right support and strategies, it’s possible to move past treatment trauma and rebuild hope for recovery.
The road to wellness starts by seeking help today.
Built on the principles of assertive community treatment, Galen Hope is an eating disorder and mental health treatment center offering individualized treatment options that include Intensive Outpatient (IOP) with supported housing option and Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHP). As a “Community of Integrated Wellness,” we pride ourselves in fostering a thoughtful and meaningful care experience that can guide our clients on their road to recovery and increased quality of life, regardless of diagnosis. With two locations in South Florida, Galen Hope currently offers in-person programming for adolescents and adults of all genders.
To learn more, please contact us here today or by calling 866-304-2955 or emailing belonging@galenHOPE.com