Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is often associated with combat veterans or survivors of large-scale traumatic events. But for many women, trauma lives in far quieter places: in medical emergencies, difficult births, ICU stays, or the sudden onset of a life-threatening blood clot. These moments can profoundly alter not just physical health, but emotional well-being, too.

At the Rowan Foundation, we’ve heard from countless women who survived pulmonary embolisms, strokes, or deep vein thrombosis linked to hormonal contraception or pregnancy. Many speak of an unexpected emotional aftermath: anxiety, nightmares, panic at minor symptoms, or a fear of recurrence that never quite goes away. In short, they’re not just healing from a clot—they’re living with PTSD.

The Physical Toll of Trauma

Medical trauma, especially when it involves an abrupt, life-threatening event, can trigger PTSD just like any other trauma. Women who’ve experienced a clot may describe:

  • Hypervigilance: Constantly scanning their body for danger.

  • Flashbacks: Reliving the ER visit or the moment they couldn’t breathe.

  • Avoidance: Refusing follow-up care or medical appointments out of fear.

  • Emotional numbing: Feeling disconnected from their bodies, partners, or even babies if the trauma occurred during or after childbirth.

These symptoms aren’t just emotional, they can affect the entire body. Chronic stress and PTSD can disrupt hormone regulation, immune response, and cardiovascular health, making recovery from a clot more difficult.

Gender Matters in PTSD and Clotting

Research shows women are twice as likely as men to develop PTSD. Add to that the fact that women are also more likely to experience blood clots during hormonal changes—pregnancy, contraception, and menopause—and it becomes clear that the intersection of PTSD and clotting is not rare. It’s just underrecognized.

In fact, women who survive near-death clotting events often feel dismissed or misunderstood by providers, friends, and even themselves. “You lived,” they hear. “You should be grateful.” But survival is only the beginning.

Healing Must Be Holistic

We can’t separate mental health from physical recovery. Women healing from clot-related events need access to trauma-informed care—care that recognizes the emotional scars alongside the physical ones. Whether it’s therapy, peer support, or simply being believed, healing must address the whole person.

At the Rowan Foundation, we advocate not just for clot awareness but for compassionate, integrated care that sees women’s stories in full: the risk, the rupture, and the resilience.

Tips for Managing Anxiety or PTSD After a Blood Clot

Surviving a life-threatening clot can leave deep emotional wounds. If you’re struggling with fear, panic, or anxiety in the aftermath, know that this is common—and there are ways to begin healing. These evidence-informed strategies can help:

1. Talk to a Mental Health Professional

  • Seek support from a trauma-informed therapist who can help you process what happened and develop coping tools.
  • Look for therapists experienced in medical trauma, PTSD, or chronic illness. Find one on PsychologyToday.com or use Open Path Collective for affordable options.

2. Name What You’re Feeling

  • Journaling or speaking about your fears (even just to yourself) can help you make sense of them and regain a sense of control.
  • Try prompts like: What do I fear most right now? or What helped me survive? 

group therapy sesson3. Practice Grounding Techniques

Anxiety often pulls you into fear about the future. Grounding helps bring you back to the present:

  • 5-4-3-2-1 method (identify 5 things you see, 4 you feel, 3 you hear, two you smell, and 1 you taste)
  • Deep breathing
  • Cold water on your hands or face

4. Limit Over-Googling or Health Obsessing

  • It’s normal to want to “understand everything,” but excessive searching can increase fear.
  • Set boundaries: Give yourself a 15-minute research window, then pause and return to calming routines.

5. Create a “Safe Plan”

  • Talk with your healthcare provider about what signs to watch for and what’s considered normal versus a medical emergency.
  • Having a plan can reduce the fear of “what if it happens again.”

6. Connect with Others Who Understand

  • You are not alone. Talking to other women who’ve survived clots or medical trauma can reduce shame and isolation.
  • Support groups (online or local) or even reading another survivor’s story can help you feel seen.

Your Story Matters—And It Can Make a Difference

If you’re living with the emotional impact of a blood clot, we invite you to share your story with the Rowan Foundation.

typewriter that says "my story"Why share?

  • Because your voice can help another woman recognize she’s not alone.

  • Because your experience can educate healthcare providers about the trauma side of clotting.

  • Because telling your story is a powerful act of reclaiming your health, your strength, and your voice.

We feature survivor stories on our website and across our social media channels, honoring each woman’s journey and expanding public understanding of clot-related trauma and PTSD. Whether you want to share anonymously or proudly with your name and photo, your story has the power to save lives and heal hearts.

Click here to submit your story or email us at [email protected].

Online Mental Health Resources

If you or someone you love is living with emotional trauma after a clotting event, help is available. Below are some online resources where you can connect with support, find a therapist, or learn more about PTSD:

For more information, including additional mental health resources for navigating grief after the loss of a loved one, click here.