Secondary Trauma Part 1: What is it?
As a therapist who has worked in the field of mental health for many years, I understand the immense rewards and challenges that come with helping others navigate their trauma. It is not just mental health professionals that have to cope with this, but doctors, nurses, first responders, and other “helping” professionals. While our role is to provide support and healing, we must also be aware of the potential for secondary trauma – a type of emotional wear and tear that can affect our well-being.
Understanding Secondary Trauma
Secondary trauma, also known as vicarious trauma or compassion fatigue, is a shadow that often follows those in the helping professions. Unlike primary trauma, where an individual directly experiences a traumatic event, secondary trauma occurs when we are indirectly exposed to the trauma of others. This phenomenon is an occupational hazard for therapists, healthcare workers, social workers, and first responders, who regularly interact with individuals who have experienced distressing events.
Signs and Symptoms of Secondary Trauma
Recognizing the signs and symptoms of secondary trauma is paramount for helping professionals, as it enables early intervention and self-care. Here's a closer look at what to watch out for:
Emotional Distress:
Increased Anxiety, Sadness, or Depression: You may find yourself grappling with heightened levels of anxiety, persistent sadness, or even clinical depression.
Emotional Numbness and Detachment: A sense of emotional detachment from both your clients and personal life can creep in.
Mood Swings: Unpredictable mood swings, alternating between feelings of empathy and apathy, might become more common.
Intrusive Thoughts:
Obsessive Reflection: You may repeatedly ruminate on your clients' traumatic experiences, even when you're not at work.
Disturbing Dreams: Nightmares or disturbing dreams related to your clients' stories can disrupt your sleep.
Physical Symptoms:
Fatigue and Exhaustion: Chronic exhaustion and fatigue, regardless of the amount of rest you get.
Sleep Disturbances: Insomnia or restless sleep patterns can develop.
Muscle Tension and Pain: Physical tension and muscle pain may become chronic.
Cognitive Changes:
Difficulty Concentrating: Concentrating on tasks, making decisions, and maintaining focus can become increasingly challenging.
Memory Problems: Memory lapses may occur more frequently.
Job Dissatisfaction: A gradual decrease in job satisfaction and motivation can surface.
Changes in Relationships:
Isolation: You might distance yourself from friends and family, struggling to connect.
Relationship Strain: Difficulty in maintaining healthy relationships, increased irritability, and resentment may emerge.
Changes in Beliefs and Values:
Loss of Faith: A loss of faith in humanity and a questioning of your own belief systems may arise.
Overwhelm: You might feel overwhelmed by the sheer magnitude of suffering in the world.
How Secondary Trauma Can Present
Understanding how secondary trauma can manifest in your life is essential for prevention and healing:
Transference and Countertransference:
You might unknowingly transfer your unresolved trauma onto your clients or patients, affecting the relationship with them. Recognizing and addressing these dynamics is crucial to both yourself and who you are working with your working with.
Burnout:
Secondary trauma can contribute to burnout, leading to emotional exhaustion and disengagement from your work. Early intervention is key to preventing burnout. Burnout in it of itself is a complex topic that is difficult to fully flesh and needs seperate posts on it’s own to do it justice.
Decreased Empathy:
Over time, you may struggle to maintain empathy and compassion for your clients or patients. This is a slipery slope as you can become less effective, enjoying your work less, and overall have an increase of negative experiences at work. Regular self-care can help preserve your emotional resilience.
Avoidance Behavior:
To cope with secondary trauma, some professionals may start avoiding certain clients or situations that remind them of past traumas. This can hinder your effectiveness as a helper. Additionally, this can also lead to isolation and decreased social support depending on the triggers you are avoiding.
Personal Identity Crisis:
Secondary trauma can lead to questioning your own identity and purpose, causing existential crises and career dissatisfaction. Seeking support from peers or a therapist is crucial during such times.
As a “helper” it is vital to remember that taking care of ourselves is not selfish but a necessary part of being effective in our roles. Secondary trauma is a genuine concern, but with awareness, early intervention, and a commitment to self-care, we can continue to provide valuable support while safeguarding our own well-being. Remember, recognizing and addressing secondary trauma is a sign of strength, not weakness.
Stay tune for part two and three of this series where I will cover coping stratigies and when to reach out for professional help.