The Psychology of Medical Trauma and Recovery with Vanessa Abraham

In this episode of The Business Of Thinking, host Richard Reid is joined by Vanessa Abraham, a dedicated speech-language pathologist whose career and life took a dramatic turn in 2019. Vanessa shares her harrowing journey from being a medical provider to becoming a patient paralyzed by a sudden neurological disorder that left her unable to speak or eat. She provides a raw look into the psychological toll of medical trauma, describing the "profound depression" and "invisible disabilities" that often go unaddressed after a patient leaves the ICU.Vanessa discusses her transformation into a "crazy researcher," diving into neuroplasticity and innovative healing modalities like the Neubie device to reclaim her life. Her story is a powerful testament to the psychology of high performance and the importance of purpose, reminding listeners that "when people have a purpose, they’re willing to withstand pretty much anything".Key TakeawaysThe episode explores Post-Intensive Care Syndrome (PICS), highlighting the cognitive deficits, anxiety, and PTSD that survivors face long after physical recovery.Vanessa emphasizes the necessity of a trauma-informed approach in healthcare, looking at a patient’s mental state and nervous system functioning as the primary foundation for physical healing.A major theme is the power of intellectual humility, where putting aside pride and asking "dumb questions" becomes the ultimate tool for innovation and recovery.The conversation delves into the shift from sympathetic to parasympathetic drive, explaining how creating a relaxed state allows the body and brain to repair itself.Episode HighlightsVanessa describes the rapid onset of her illness, going from a healthy, active lifestyle to being ventilated in the ICU within 48 hours.She explains the "missing piece" of healthcare: the lack of mental health support once a patient is discharged and the support system of the hospital slips away.The discussion covers Vanessa's book, Speechless, which serves as a guide for clinicians and survivors to understand the human side of medical trauma.Vanessa shares her future mission, including hosting workshops and retreats to educate medical providers on the realities of PICS and medical trauma.Timestamps00:12 - Introduction to Vanessa Abraham and speech pathology 01:32 - Transition from clinician to paralyzed patient 03:56 - The rapid onset of a life-changing neurological disorder 08:28 - Discussing Post-Intensive Care Syndrome (PICS) 11:37 - Researching neuroplasticity and natural healing modalities 16:44 - The grieving process and losing one's identity 22:59 - How the Neubie device aids in neurological recovery 26:55 - Redefining trauma-informed care in medical practice 31:50 - Upcoming workshops and the Speechless book🔗 Connect with Vanessa AbrahamWebsite: www.aneuhealing.comInstagram: @speechless_slpTo purchase book on Amazon: https://a.co/d/cjvA4aoFacebook: Speechless SLP⭐️ Connect and SubscribeThank you for joining us on The Business of Thinking podcast. If you enjoyed this conversation, please subscribe and leave a rating! It helps us bring more insightful content on the psychology of high performance. Find more about Richard Reid’s work at www.richard-reid.com.Production Credit: Edited and produced by @the32collective_ / https://www.the32collective.co/