Vicarious Trauma or secondary trauma is more than just feeling burned out or fatigued; it’s a transformation that occurs within us as a result of empathic connection with the suffering of others. Some consider it the ‘cost of caring’ and can impact us as healthcare professionals. The impact is significant enough that it impairs our overall functioning and well-being.
It can manifest in the following ways:
INTRUSIVE SYMPTOMS: Vivid nightmares, flashbacks, intrusive memories related to the suffering of others. Preoccupation with the trauma story and reacting to similar cues.
AVOIDANCE: Withdrawing or avoidance of work, previously trusted people, activities, places, anything that may be a reminder of the trauma story. All in an attempt to minimise ‘reactivity’.
NEGATIVE ALTERATION TO THOUGHTS AND MOOD: excessive guilt/fear, ‘out of the blue’ emotional states, loss of pleasure/curiosity, pessimism, detachment. Questioning and/or changing of previously held beliefs about self, others, of safety, of trust. Questioning of previously held spiritual or religious beliefs.
AROUSAL SYMPTOMS: Inability to relax in any setting, exaggerated startle reaction, sleep disturbance.
BEHAVIOURAL PATTERNS: Over stepping of boundaries; ‘rescuing’ behaviours; ‘over fixing’ . Engaging in unhelpful/unhealthy behaviours to reduce reactivity.
Seen as an understandable and adaptive response to engaging empathically to the trauma experiences of others. It can be in response to a work situation, personal or family and even a response people experience when exposed to trauma inflicted culturally or in our communities.
If you or someone you know may be experiencing vicarious trauma and needs support, please reach out to us at MINDCHECK HP. You can call us on 07 3847 8094 or via email to admin@mindcheckhp.com.au
