{"id":28636,"date":"2022-01-26T11:41:49","date_gmt":"2022-01-26T11:41:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/apn.com\/?p=28636"},"modified":"2022-05-26T14:36:49","modified_gmt":"2022-05-26T20:36:49","slug":"secondary-trauma-the-trauma-no-one-talks-about","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/apn.com\/resources\/secondary-trauma-the-trauma-no-one-talks-about\/","title":{"rendered":"Secondary Trauma: The Trauma No One Talks About"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Trauma doesn\u2019t just stem from immediately threatening experiences; it can also come from indirect exposure to traumatic events. This indirect exposure is known as secondary trauma.<\/p>\n<p>The effects of secondary trauma are not always immediately apparent, but they can significantly impact mental health and coping.<\/p>\n<h2>What Is Trauma?<\/h2>\n<p>When we think of trauma, what usually comes to mind is an event that is horrific or life-threatening. Part of the DSM-5 criteria for a diagnosis of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) includes exposure to death, a threat of death, actual or threat of serious injury, or actual or threatened sexual violence\u00b9.<\/p>\n<p>But trauma is more than just the direct experience of a horrific or life-threatening event. The American Psychological Association (APA) defines trauma as \u201can emotional response to a terrible event like an accident, rape, or natural disaster.\u201d\u00b2 Trauma is not simply the event, but also the emotional response one has to it.<\/p>\n<p>What might be surprising is that trauma-related stress can also result from witnessing trauma or indirect exposure to traumatic events. For example, trauma-related stress can happen after exposure to mass disasters via the media\u00b3, hearing graphic accounts of a person\u2019s traumatic experience, or as part of one\u2019s work\u2074 (e.g., first responders, nurses, etc.). For helping occupations, being exposed to someone else\u2019s trauma is often seen as \u201cpart of the job,\u201d and being distressed can sometimes carry some guilt or shame.<\/p>\n<p>Because someone doesn\u2019t directly experience an event, this type of trauma can sometimes be inadvertently overlooked or not immediately recognized as problematic. So, it doesn\u2019t always get noticed right away or talked about. This distress has a name.<\/p>\n<h2>What Is Secondary Trauma?<\/h2>\n<p>Secondary trauma, sometimes referred to as secondary traumatic stress or vicarious trauma, is the emotional distress that can result from learning about the firsthand traumatic experiences of others. It is caused by \u201crepeated or extreme confrontation with details of traumatic situations without any direct sensory impressions and is described as the victims\u2019 symptoms being transferred to another individual.\u201d\u2075<\/p>\n<h2>What Are the Signs of Secondary Trauma?<\/h2>\n<p>The symptoms of secondary trauma can be very similar to <a href=\"https:\/\/apn.com\/resources\/what-is-the-difference-between-ptsd-and-complex-ptsd\/\">PTSD and C-PTSD<\/a>. These symptoms can manifest in a few ways: cognitively, emotionally, behaviorally, and physically\u2078.<\/p>\n<h3>Cognitive Signs:<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Lowered Concentration<\/li>\n<li>Apathy<\/li>\n<li>Rigid thinking<\/li>\n<li>Perfectionism<\/li>\n<li>Preoccupation with trauma<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Emotional Signs:<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Guilt<\/li>\n<li>Anger<\/li>\n<li>Numbness<\/li>\n<li>Sadness<\/li>\n<li>Helplessness<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Behavioral Signs:<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Withdrawal<\/li>\n<li>Sleep disturbance<\/li>\n<li>Appetite change<\/li>\n<li>Hyper-vigilance<\/li>\n<li>Elevated startle response<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Physical Signs:<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Increased heart rate<\/li>\n<li>Difficulty breathing<\/li>\n<li>Muscle and joint pain<\/li>\n<li>Impaired immune system<\/li>\n<li>Increased severity of medical concerns<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Who Is at Risk for Secondary Trauma?<\/h2>\n<p>This type of trauma is often seen in people who work in helping professions where contact with trauma survivors is common, such as first responders, nurses, and even therapists who do trauma work. Secondary trauma is more involved than <a href=\"https:\/\/apn.com\/resources\/how-to-recover-from-burnout\/\">burnout<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>For those in the helping professions, this type of trauma is sometimes referred to as <a href=\"https:\/\/dictionary.apa.org\/compassion-fatigue\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">compassion fatigue<\/a> because it stems from helping others. Even supporting a loved one through a traumatic event they\u2019ve experienced can result in secondary trauma.<\/p>\n<p>Secondary trauma can also result from indirect exposure to traumatic events via the graphic retelling of stories related to disasters or other tragic events. This phenomenon is sometimes seen after prolonged tragic events such as terrorist attacks, natural disasters like hurricanes or wildfires, or war images. Studies have found a relationship between disaster-related news coverage\u2076, social media use\u2077, and psychological distress, including anxiety, depression, stress, substance abuse, and PTSD.<\/p>\n<p>Even if you don\u2019t experience trauma directly, indirect exposure can place you at risk for impact.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-28647 aligncenter size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/apn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/luke-jones-DBqGozXm-2A-unsplash-635x1024.jpg\" alt=\"A healthcare worker dressed in full PPE outside.\" width=\"635\" height=\"1024\" \/><\/p>\n<h2>Assessing Your Risk for Secondary Trauma<\/h2>\n<p>Of course, these symptoms can also be related to other issues. For this reason, it\u2019s essential to be aware of indirect exposure to trauma that might be affecting you or someone you love. We don\u2019t always realize that something is creating distress. The impact of indirect exposure to distressing experiences often accumulates over time and goes unnoticed in its early formation.<\/p>\n<p>Suppose you work in an occupation that brings you into frequent contact with traumatic situations or trauma survivors, or you find yourself often overwhelmed with \u201ctoo much information\u201d about traumatic events or information. In that case, it\u2019s essential to take care of your emotional well-being.<\/p>\n<h2>How to Heal Secondary Trauma<\/h2>\n<p>While it\u2019s easy to care for others and put their needs ahead of ourselves, it can be more challenging to address the root cause of secondary trauma and get the help you need. If you find yourself dealing with secondary trauma, it is important to address it. Left unattended, it can impact your well-being and how you interact with others.<\/p>\n<p>It can be challenging to prioritize caring for yourself. Luckily, there are things you can do to help mitigate the effects of secondary trauma.<\/p>\n<h3>Practice Good Self-care<\/h3>\n<p>Trauma takes a tremendous toll on a person physically and emotionally. Make sure that you are nurturing yourself in healthy ways:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Eat <a href=\"https:\/\/apn.com\/resources\/how-to-support-recovery-using-food-as-medicine\/\">nutritious meals<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Get enough rest<\/li>\n<li>Get fresh air<\/li>\n<li>Move daily &#8212; even gentle stretching or walking is helpful<\/li>\n<li>Do things that you enjoy with supportive loved ones<\/li>\n<li>Journal<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Connect with Others<\/h3>\n<p>While it can be helpful to talk with a trusted friend or colleague, a therapist is best equipped to help you navigate recovery from secondary trauma. Connecting with others gives you a place to talk about your feelings and receive support.<\/p>\n<h3>Learn to Say No<\/h3>\n<p>It can be very tempting to want to do more and more for others, and sometimes, it can feel like it\u2019s never enough. Saying no sounds selfish, but it\u2019s not \u2013 you can\u2019t help others when you\u2019re struggling too.<\/p>\n<p>It is essential to evaluate your relationships and identify where you continue to give, even at your own expense. Perhaps there are some codependent tendencies that need work and boundaries.<\/p>\n<p>Setting healthy boundaries allows you to separate from the source of distress and prioritize your needs and well-being. It\u2019s like giving yourself permission to take care of yourself.<\/p>\n<h3>Practice Mindfulness<\/h3>\n<p>In simple terms, mindfulness is simply being fully aware of and attentive to what is happening in the moment. It is a non-judgmental way of attending to thoughts and feelings and has been shown to reduce stress and anxiety.<\/p>\n<p>Studies have found that practicing mindfulness can help mitigate the effects of secondary trauma. Some examples of mindfulness-based interventions include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/apn.com\/resources\/yoga-and-meditation-in-recovery\/\">Yoga and meditation<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Tai Chi<\/li>\n<li>Qigong<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/apn.com\/resources\/the-mental-health-benefits-of-journaling\/\">Journaling<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Practicing gratitude<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Over time, you can build resiliency and find the coping skills that work best for you. You give so much to others \u2013 make sure that you are on that giving list too.<\/p>\n<h2>Finding Support for Secondary Trauma<\/h2>\n<p>Sometimes, it\u2019s hard to know where to start or whether what you\u2019re experiencing stems from trauma, burnout, or something else. That\u2019s when a therapist can make a difference. A therapist specially trained in <a href=\"https:\/\/apn.com\/resources\/trauma-informed-care-what-it-is-and-why-it-matters\/\">trauma-informed care<\/a> can help you to sort through what you\u2019re feeling, identify your needs, and help you find healthy ways to cope and heal.<\/p>\n<p>At All Points North, we understand trauma. Our team of expert trauma-informed clinicians is ready with the skills and programs to help you take the next step towards healing and recovery.<\/p>\n<p>Nestled in the beautiful Rocky Mountains,\u202f<a href=\"https:\/\/apn.com\/\">All Points North Lodge<\/a>\u202foffers a luxury rehab experience with the perfect environment for healing, personal growth, and recovery. We use a combination of evidence-based healing modalities in conjunction with holistic and alternative therapies like yoga, mindfulness, meditation, nutrition, and massage therapy. We pair these therapies with cutting-edge technologies like\u202f<a href=\"https:\/\/apn.com\/programs\/hyperbaric-oxygen-therapy\/\">Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy<\/a>\u202f(HBOT) and\u202f<a href=\"https:\/\/apn.com\/programs\/deep-tms\/\">Deep Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation<\/a>\u202f(Deep TMS).<\/p>\n<p>To learn more about treatment at APN Lodge, reach out to one of our Contact Center team members at\u202f <a href=\"tel:855-510-4585\">855-510-4585<\/a> or via . Let us help you reclaim your well-being and find your way forward.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\">Reference<\/h3>\n<ol>\n<li>Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th, ed. American Psychiatric Publishing, 2013. DSM-V, doi-org.db29.linccweb.org\/10.1176\/ appi<\/li>\n<li>\u201cTrauma and Shock.\u201d American Psychological Association, https:\/\/www.apa.org\/topics\/trauma.<\/li>\n<li>Abdalla, Salma M et al. \u201cMedia Exposure and the Risk of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Following a Mass traumatic Event: An In-silico Experiment.\u201d Frontiers in psychiatry vol. 12 674263. 25 Nov. 2021, doi:10.3389\/fpsyt.2021.674263<\/li>\n<li>Ogi\u0144ska-Bulik, Nina et al. \u201cPrevalence and predictors of secondary traumatic stress symptoms in health care professionals working with trauma victims: A cross-sectional study.\u201d PloS one vol. 16,2 e0247596. 23 Feb. 2021, doi:10.1371\/journal.pone.0247596<\/li>\n<li>Greinacher, Anja et al. \u201cSecondary Traumatization, Psychological Stress, and Resilience in Psychosocial Emergency Care Personnel.\u201d International journal of environmental research and public health vol. 16,17 3213. 3 Sep. 2019, doi:10.3390\/ijerph16173213<\/li>\n<li>Pfefferbaum, Betty et al. \u201cDisaster media coverage and psychological outcomes: descriptive findings in the extant research.\u201d Current psychiatry reports vol. 16,9 (2014): 464. doi:10.1007\/s11920-014-0464-x<\/li>\n<li>Goodwin, Robin, et al. \u201cIn the Eye of the Storm or the Bullseye of the Media: Social Media Use during Hurricane Sandy as a Predictor of Post-Traumatic Stress.\u201d Journal of Psychiatric Research, Pergamon, 11 May 2013, https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/abs\/pii\/S0022395613001258?via%3Dihub.<\/li>\n<li>\u201cSecondary Traumatic Stress.\u201d Administration for Children &amp;amp; Families, U.S. Department of Health &amp;amp; Human Services, https:\/\/www.acf.hhs.gov\/trauma-toolkit\/secondary-traumatic-stress.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>Reviewed by Emmeline Massey MSW, LSW<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<div class=\"excerpt\">This blog post looks at secondary trauma: how it differs from PTSD, who is at risk, the signs and symptoms, plus how to heal.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":28650,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"rank_math_lock_modified_date":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[311,309,312,2],"tags":[248,235,119,53,54,84,65,66,229,38,236,77,260,60,62,88,152],"class_list":["post-28636","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-fitness-wellness","category-mental-health","category-pschiatry-psychology","category-resources","tag-anxiety","tag-causes-of-addiction","tag-childhood-trauma","tag-crisis","tag-dbt","tag-depression","tag-meditation","tag-mental-health","tag-mental-health-treatment","tag-personal-development","tag-risk-factors-for-addiction","tag-therapy","tag-trauma","tag-trauma-counseling","tag-trauma-therapy","tag-trauma-treatment","tag-trauma-informed-care"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/apn.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28636","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/apn.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/apn.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/apn.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/apn.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=28636"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/apn.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28636\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/apn.com\/wp-json\/"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/apn.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=28636"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/apn.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=28636"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/apn.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=28636"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}