Secondary Trauma
Secondary Trauma/Vicarious Trauma
- Vicarious trauma can occur for those who work with trauma survivors and/or who are exposed to other’s traumatic situations. Vicarious trauma can affect the following areas: physical, emotional, behavioral, cognitive, and spiritual.
- It is important to notice changes in yourself after seeing and/or working close to other’s trauma. Notice if your views start to incorporate the views of the survivor, this can increase with repeated exposure to other’s trauma.
How Vicarious Trauma affects Our World Views
- You may question your basic beliefs about the world, safety, trust, justice
- You may have a heightened awareness of the vulnerability and fragility of life
- Survivor(s) may feel a since of powerlessness and that could start to transfer to you
- Alienation feelings may also develop
Prevention/Decreasing Vicarious Trauma
- Be aware of your symptoms of stress to prevent them from becoming severe.
- Establish clear, realistic stress management goals and incorporate the planning and support needed.
- Incorporate down time in your schedule.
- Take deep breaths and/or do simple meditation.
- Make sure to be eating regularly and including healthy foods and water.
- Develop a support/social system, be it with friends, family, community members, counselors etc.
- Exercise is a good stress reducing activity.
- Sleep is very renewing, so try to get 7-8 hours of sleep a night.
- You may want to limit your exposure to certain media, i.e., the news, newspapers etc.
- Know your limits and when to ask for help, you do not have to do this alone.
“To keep the lamp burning we have to keep putting oil in it.” Mother Teresa
(this information was adapted from www.crvawc.ca and Cynthia McKenna)
