Are You Experiencing Vicarious Trauma?
During the war, natural disasters, pandemics, and other events that call for people working and volunteering to service victims such as law enforcement, emergency medical services, fire services, and all other professions that work with and assist the public during traumatic events are at risk of experiencing vicarious trauma.
How People Respond to Vicarious Trauma
The way people respond to vicarious trauma is varied and often dependent on how often they are exposed, as trauma is a compounding event. Untrained responders may have negative responses or neutral responses that enable them to manage the trauma. At the same time, trained individuals can call on the resources provided to respond more positively to the situation.
Risk Factors for Being Affected by Vicarious Trauma
If you currently work with trauma survivors, your risk of being affected by VT is substantial, even if you undergo trauma-sensitive training. But it’s more likely to affect you if you also have your own prior traumatic experiences, are socially isolated, and have an avoidant personality.
The worst development for some frontline workers is developing compassion fatigue, making it hard to feel empathy for those you feel cause their own trauma even though initially you felt empathy. It’s not because you don’t care – it’s because your brain is trying to protect itself, so it cuts off your feelings but slightly too much.
Symptoms of Vicarious Trauma
If you are having issues managing your emotions, are unable to sleep or relax, and are starting to exhibit physical problems such as chronic pain or increased illness, or your life feels meaningless, and you’re avoiding work or experiencing a combination of systems that make it hard for you to cope, you may be experiencing VT.
Treatment of Vicarious Trauma
The best way to treat VT is to maintain your day-to-day health by practicing self-care techniques such as talking to someone, finding time in nature, and building a life that enables you to get away from your work sometimes.
Remember to take time for yourself, schedule your life for more balance, and remember to avoid allowing yourself to become part of the trauma experience with the people you’re helping because it’s not your trauma. They need you to be healthy so that you can help them.
For some people, professional therapy might be called for, especially if you’re experiencing life-altering problems that you’ve tried to mitigate but cannot on your own. Two of the best treatments for vicarious trauma include cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing or EMDR.
The main thing is to know vicarious trauma exists. If you work in a role that makes you susceptible to experiencing this secondary trauma, such as being a trauma counselor, a search and rescue team, or a nurse who works in ICU, it’s essential for you to plan your life to mitigate the emotional damage that you may experience through your work. In addition, if you have also experienced your own unaddressed traumas, it’s imperative that you find a way to face them before you help others.
By Team MITM LLC,
