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Many people around the world are exposed to what is called secondary traumatic stress, or vicarious traumatic stress, which are terms used to describe phenomena in which an individual is indirectly affected by a bad experience to which others are exposed, such as road accidents in which you are not a party, or news of wars and natural disasters. And regional conflicts or working in a field that requires following up on or engaging in incidents and crises faced by other people, such as the fields of relief and health care or providing psychological assistance to victims of disasters, or the courts and law, and covering news of wars and accidents, which is also called compassion and compassion fatigue.
A study by the National Child Trauma Network (an American organization) indicates that 50% of child care workers are at high risk of developing secondary trauma or conditions related to post-traumatic stress disorder. Any professional who works directly with traumatized children and is in a position to listen to accounts of traumatic experiences is also at risk of secondary injury.
According to a report on Psychology Today, symptoms of secondary trauma can vary and may include:
- carelessness.
- Feeling hopeless and frustrated.
- the irony.
- Desire for isolation.
- Anger.
- Intense contemplation of painful images and rumination on sorrows.
- Feeling tired.
- feeling guilty.
- Organically unexplained physical pain.
Although everyone is exposed to traumatic events in different ways all the time, there are still some disturbing situations that threaten an individual’s sense of security.
According to a study conducted by the Sidran Institute, in the US state of Maryland, 7.3% of all diagnoses of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in adults develop as a result of watching someone else experience psychological trauma.
Factors for the emergence of secondary trauma
Psychotherapist Dr. Amir Levin believes that there are 3 main factors that increase vulnerability to the impact of secondary trauma.
High-tech communication via digital and social mediaExposure to frightening news stories around the world. Here, the point is not to avoid following news bulletins and social networking sites, but rather intense exposure to traumatic incidents contributes to the development of post-traumatic symptoms.
Disasters have imposed themselves in recent yearsLiving in an era characterized by natural disasters, wars, and political instability creates an intertwined environment of fear and helplessness, which makes many people feel that danger is inevitably coming, and that a catastrophe occurring in the most remote countries may reflect on our personal conditions in some way.
Technological entanglement and real isolation, Although we are technologically connected like never before, we are at the same time extraordinarily disconnected, isolated, and lonely. Migrations and technological developments have led to profound emotional and social separation and isolation.
According to the State of Global Social Connection report conducted in 142 countries in 2023, 51% of people reported feeling lonely, while 21% felt very lonely. Loneliness is a risk factor for the development of emotional trauma and may affect a person’s ability to be resilient in the face of trauma.
Proactive strategies for prevention
People who work in relief and victim support should not wait to experience the effects of secondary trauma, as they should be aware of the symptoms of traumatic stress by developing awareness of the possible symptoms. Knowing what to watch for allows you to intervene and treat symptoms before they become more deeply ingrained.
- body care: Through a healthy diet and exercise, it may help eliminate the traumatic content that individuals are exposed to in their daily or professional lives.
- Nourishing the mind with healthy and positive content: It may mitigate the effects of vicarious trauma by directing attention to soothing content for the nervous system, reducing exposure time to digital and social media, as well as being careful about the potential impact of information consumed daily.
- Fortifying the body and mind: Our nervous systems tend to be more vulnerable to the effects of trauma when we feel drained and overwhelmed. Therefore, it is necessary to fortify the body and mind by engaging in activities that support a feeling of vitality, and focusing on self-care, as proper sleep is a way to protect the body from depletion.
- Journaling: Daily writing serves as the development of an active dialogue with thoughts and feelings to enhance resilience in the face of psychological trauma, and is a powerful means of recovery. It significantly affects the body’s response to psychological stress, thus improving mood, sleep, and immunity.
