Vicarious Trauma: Understanding Secondary Stress and Healing

Vicarious trauma develops when professionals and caregivers repeatedly experience secondary exposure to others' traumatic experiences, causing symptoms like anxiety, sleep disturbances, and emotional detachment, but can be effectively managed through evidence-based therapeutic interventions and professional mental health support.

Ever notice how caring for others can leave an invisible mark on your own well-being? Vicarious trauma affects countless helping professionals who witness others' pain – but understanding its impact and learning effective coping strategies can help you maintain both your compassion and your mental health.

Understanding Vicarious Trauma and Its Long-Term Impact

Traumatic experiences don’t only affect those who directly survive them. Individuals who interact with survivors may also experience what’s known as vicarious trauma. This article explores this condition in depth, including symptoms, effects, potential treatments, and more.

What is vicarious trauma, and how does it differ from PTSD?

Vicarious trauma, also called secondhand trauma or secondary traumatic stress, is a specific form of trauma that can develop among professionals who work with trauma survivors. While these individuals haven’t directly experienced the traumatic events themselves, their interactions and connections with those who have may expose them to this form of indirect trauma.

The term “vicarious trauma” often describes a phenomenon among mental health professionals working with trauma survivors. However, the condition can also affect those working or volunteering in various fields such as:

• Law enforcement
• Firefighting
• Emergency medical services
• Journalism
• Child protective services

On the surface, vicarious trauma may share features with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Both conditions originate from exposure to traumatic experiences or events, potentially leading to symptoms like hyperarousal, changes in sleeping or eating patterns, or persistent feelings of irritability or anxiety.

However, a key difference is that while PTSD typically arises among those who have directly experienced trauma, vicarious trauma occurs among those who work closely with trauma survivors—usually on a regular basis.

Symptoms of vicarious trauma may include, but aren’t limited to:

• Sleep difficulties, such as insomnia or oversleeping
• Changes in eating habits (over- or under-eating)
• Panic attacks
• Heightened startle reflex
• Hyperarousal or hypervigilance
• Trouble concentrating
• Feelings of anxiety or fear
• Nightmares or intrusive thoughts

The effects of vicarious trauma

Indirect exposure to trauma can have various implications. Vicarious trauma may have potential short- and long-term effects on those who experience it. Professionals in fields that work closely with trauma survivors (for instance, mental health therapists, social workers, or emergency medical services, such as first responders), or “helping professions,” may find themselves struggling to meet work responsibilities or experiencing frequent conflicts with colleagues. Some may find their careers too challenging to continue, potentially leading to job changes.

Vicarious traumatization can impact other professionals as well, including those with low occupational safety, and anyone close to someone else’s trauma or experiencing trauma exposure, whether they work in a trauma-related field or not. Those in helping professions or victim services, or who hear traumatic stories, may also experience compassion fatigue.

Beyond the workplace, vicarious trauma can lead to withdrawal from friends and family or increased substance use. It may cause changes in one’s worldview, feelings of detachment, a sense of hopelessness or helplessness, decreased interest in hobbies, or challenges with intimacy. In some cases, changes in eating or sleeping patterns may increase the risk of health conditions like hypertension and obesity.

Managing symptoms: Coping with vicarious trauma

If you’re experiencing issues related to your proximity to another person’s trauma, you might wonder how to deal with vicarious trauma. Various practices can help those affected by vicarious trauma manage their symptoms and improve their overall quality of life. These strategies may include:

• Taking necessary time off from work, particularly in professions heavily involved with trauma survivors, and establishing a healthy work-life balance
• Practicing self-care through healthy eating, physical exercise, adequate sleep, good hygiene, and engaging in enjoyable activities
• Seeking emotional and social support from family members, friends, or other trusted sources
• Journaling to explore thoughts and emotions, including personal trauma
• Consulting healthcare providers about medication, which may be prescribed in some cases for managing certain symptoms
• Dedicating time to outside interests to help redirect focus from stressful situations
• Seeking support from mental health professionals

Every individual is unique, so the most effective strategies for managing and treating vicarious trauma vary from person to person. Consulting a healthcare provider or mental health professional is advisable for understanding the best options for your specific situation. The American Counseling Association may also offer support for therapists and counselors experiencing vicarious trauma and compassion fatigue.

Therapy: A valuable resource for managing vicarious trauma

In addition to the strategies mentioned above, therapy is a powerful resource for those experiencing vicarious trauma who need additional support. Therapy can help you develop effective coping strategies and other skills to benefit your mental health. Your therapist may reference various reputable sources, such as the National Institute of Mental Health, when determining an appropriate diagnosis and treatment plan. Forms of therapy that may help treat trauma-related disorders include, but aren’t limited to:

• Cognitive behavioral therapy: Also known as CBT, cognitive behavioral therapy focuses on identifying unhelpful or problematic thinking patterns, finding ways to reframe them, and learning to respond more effectively to future situations.
• Cognitive processing therapy: Also known as CPT, cognitive processing therapy is a form of CBT that focuses on challenging and reframing thought patterns related to traumatic experiences.
• Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing: Also known as EMDR, this therapy uses specific eye movements to aid in processing memories of traumatic experiences.
• Prolonged exposure therapy: Prolonged exposure therapy helps survivors by slowly and gradually exploring memories related to traumatic experiences with the guidance of a therapist.

These therapeutic approaches, among others, can help reduce the severity of vicarious trauma symptoms. However, attending in-person therapy sessions may present challenges for those with vicarious trauma, especially when leaving home becomes difficult. In these cases, ReachLink’s telehealth services offer a valuable alternative, allowing you to connect with a licensed therapist from the comfort of your home via secure video sessions or messaging.

When it comes to treating various mental health conditions, numerous studies have found telehealth therapy to be as effective as in-person therapy, with many positive outcomes. One 2017 study found that internet-based CBT was an effective form of treatment for PTSD, depression, phobias, and panic disorder.

Takeaway

Vicarious trauma is a form of trauma that can affect professionals who work closely with trauma survivors. Its symptoms may include sleep or eating disturbances, intrusive thoughts, or feelings of fear, anxiety, or hopelessness. Vicarious trauma can also lead to workplace challenges, panic attacks, or increased substance use, among other effects.

Strategies for managing symptoms include practicing self-care, seeking support from others, journaling about thoughts and emotions, or taking time off from work when needed. Therapy, whether through ReachLink’s secure telehealth platform or in-person services, provides another valuable resource for healing and recovery.