Secondary trauma, also known as vicarious trauma or compassion fatigue, occurs when people experience traumatic stress by being indirectly exposed to another person’s trauma. This often impacts professionals like healthcare providers, first responders, social workers, and even family caregivers who regularly interact with trauma survivors. Repeated exposure to others’ traumatic experiences, stories, and emotional pain can lead to psychological and emotional distress that mirrors symptoms of direct trauma exposure. So, what are examples of secondary trauma?
This article will explore the types of secondary trauma and how to spot the signs and symptoms, which is crucial for personal well-being and professional effectiveness. Early identification allows individuals to seek support and implement coping strategies before the impacts become severe. If left untreated, this condition can fundamentally alter the person’s sense of safety and ability to maintain healthy professional and personal boundaries.
Without professional trauma treatment, secondary trauma can lead to burnout, decreased job performance, strained relationships, and issues with mental health. Understanding these signs can ensure people suffering from the condition can receive support and resources to access effective care for their mental health.
What Are the Three Types of Secondary Trauma?
The three main types of secondary trauma are vicarious trauma, compassion fatigue, and secondary traumatic stress. Each type can overlap and coexist, but understanding their distinct characteristics helps develop appropriate coping strategies and interventions.
- Vicarious Trauma occurs through the cumulative effect of working with trauma survivors and hearing their stories repeatedly. It can fundamentally change a helper’s worldview, cognitive schemas, and beliefs about safety, trust, and control. Mental health professionals, social workers, and counselors are particularly susceptible as they regularly engage with detailed trauma stories.
- Compassion Fatigue represents the emotional and physical exhaustion that develops from working in caring professions. It’s characterized by a decreased ability to empathize and a sense of being overwhelmed by others’ suffering. Healthcare workers, nurses, and caregivers commonly experience this type. It can be displayed as emotional numbness, decreased motivation, and diminished satisfaction from helping others.
- Secondary Traumatic Stress refers to the acute, sudden onset of PTSD-like symptoms in response to exposure to someone else’s trauma. It most closely mirrors the symptoms of direct trauma exposure, including intrusive thoughts, avoidance behaviors, and hypervigilance. First responders and emergency personnel are particularly vulnerable to STS when witnessing traumatic events or their immediate aftermath.
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What Are the Behavioral Signs of Secondary or Vicarious Trauma?
Behavioral signs of secondary trauma can manifest in various ways that significantly impact both professional and personal life. Common behavioral indicators include withdrawal from social activities and relationships, increased irritability and angry outbursts, difficulty maintaining professional boundaries, and changes in work performance.
Individuals might begin avoiding certain situations that remind them of traumatic stories, procrastinating on tasks, or becoming increasingly rigid in their routines as a way to maintain a sense of control. Some may develop unhealthy coping mechanisms such as increased alcohol consumption, overeating, or excessive shopping. Others might display workaholic tendencies, taking on too many cases or working longer hours in an attempt to help more people.
These behavioral changes from traumatic experiences often extend beyond the workplace and can severely affect personal relationships and daily functioning. People experiencing secondary trauma might become extremely worried about safety, leading to overprotective behaviors toward family members or excessive checking of locks and security systems.
The physical impact can include changes in eating habits, neglect of self-care routines, and less participation in previously enjoyed activities. These behavioral signs often develop gradually, making them particularly worrisome as they can go unnoticed until they’ve significantly impacted multiple areas of life.
What Do Secondary Trauma Symptoms Mimic?
Secondary trauma symptoms closely mimic those of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and primary trauma exposure, though they occur from indirect rather than direct trauma exposure. The symptoms often mirror PTSD in several key ways:
Emotional and Psychological Symptoms
- Intrusive thoughts and memories about the traumatic events witnessed or heard
- Heightened anxiety and depression
- Emotional numbness or detachment
- Hypervigilance and an increased startle response
- Feelings of helplessness and powerlessness
- Sleep disturbances, including nightmares about others’ traumas
- Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
Physical and Physiological Reactions
- Physical tension and muscle aches
- Rapid heartbeat and sweating when reminded of others’ traumas
- Fatigue and exhaustion
- Headaches and gastrointestinal issues
- Changes in appetite and sleep patterns
- Weakened immune system response
Secondary trauma can also mimic burnout symptoms
- Emotional exhaustion
- Decreased sense of personal accomplishment
- Cynicism and detachment from work
- Loss of motivation and enthusiasm
- Reduced empathy and compassion
How Do You Recognize Secondary Trauma?
Common symptoms of secondary trauma include emotional exhaustion, intrusive thoughts about others’ traumas, difficulty sleeping, increased anxiety or depression, feeling overwhelmed by others’ emotional pain, and becoming emotionally numb or detached. Recognition should involve regular self-assessment and awareness of these signs, particularly for individuals in helping professions. Early recognition is crucial for implementing effective coping strategies and seeking therapy for trauma before the impacts become severe.
Here are the key areas to monitor:
Professional Changes
- Difficulty maintaining professional boundaries
- Decreased quality of work or missed deadlines
- Avoiding certain clients or situations
- Feeling overwhelmed by normal caseloads
- Loss of empathy or emotional response to clients
- Obsessing over client stories or cases after work hours
- Struggling to leave work at work
Emotional Signs
- Increased anxiety, depression, or mood swings
- Feeling helpless or powerless
- Intrusive thoughts about others’ traumatic experiences
- Changes in worldview or loss of sense of safety
- Emotional numbness or detachment
- Heightened sensitivity to violence or trauma in media
- Difficulty finding joy in previously enjoyed activities
Physical Signs
- Insomnia or oversleeping
- Changes in appetite or eating patterns
- Unexplained physical ailments like headaches and stomach issues
- Fatigue and low energy
- Muscle tension and physical stress
- Weakened immune system
- Changes in heart rate or breathing when thinking about work
Learn What Are Examples of Secondary Trauma and Find Treatment at Moment of Clarity
Knowing what are examples of secondary trauma is a great first step in finding treatment for the mental health condition. Seeking professional treatment for secondary trauma is crucial as it provides specialized interventions and support. Therapy can prevent long-term psychological damage and help the person function personally and professionally.
Unlike general stress management techniques, trauma-informed therapy addresses the unique aspects of secondary trauma. Professional treatment can also help identify and modify unhealthy patterns that may have developed in response to repeated exposure to others’ trauma while providing a safe space to process the emotional weight of helping others through their traumatic experiences.
Moment of Clarity offers regular professional support for mental health at our outpatient treatment centers. Our therapy programs can also serve as a preventive measure, helping patients build resilience and maintain awareness of their emotional state before symptoms become severe. For more information on treatment for secondary trauma and how therapy can help aid recovery, call Moment of Clarity at 949-625-0564 today.
External Sources
- Administration of Children & Families: Secondary Traumatic Stress
- National Library of Medicine: Secondary Traumatic Stress Among Mental Health Providers Working With the Military
- National Library of Medicine: Prevalence and predictors of secondary traumatic stress symptoms in health care professionals working with trauma victims: A cross-sectional study
