Key Takeaways
- Vicarious trauma can affect anyone in a support role: When you regularly support people who have experienced trauma, it can impact your own emotional and mental wellbeing. Recognising this as a real risk helps you respond early and seek the right support.
- Awareness of signs is essential for early support: Symptoms like intrusive thoughts, emotional fatigue, and difficulty separating work from personal life can indicate vicarious trauma. Understanding these signs helps you take action before they begin to affect your health or ability to support others.
- Self-care and support systems help manage impact: Maintaining boundaries, balancing work and personal life, and speaking to professionals or peers can reduce the effects of vicarious trauma. Looking after your own wellbeing allows you to continue providing safe, consistent support to others.
Working in the care sector in Australia brings forth challenges that would be commonly appreciated and accepted elsewhere in the world, but with something else. The fact that we operate on land that was stolen from Aboriginal people means that we operate within the confines of a traumatic history. One which can transcend generations, meaning that intergenerational trauma is a very real thing. It’s omnipresent in Australia’s history and people.
Due to the personal and emotional support caregivers in this sector can provide to people, it is more likely that we’ll be exposed to trauma. Intergenerational and other forms of trauma, such as violence.
It’s this exposure which can make it a particularly challenging role.
If you haven’t heard of vicarious trauma before, it’s important to learn how one person’s traumatic experience in their life or inherited trauma has the power to destabilise the person – or group of people – supporting them.
What is trauma?
To understand vicarious trauma, it’s important to understand the true definition of trauma. It can be diagnosed as an emotional and psychological disorder, caused by distressing events or a history that has been passed through generations. Distressing events might be an accident that occurred, violence, sensory overload or sexual abuse.
A trauma response might be a physical reaction such as shaking, crying or screaming. It can also be:
- Sadness
- Agitation
- Dissociation
- Confusion
- Denial
- Blame
- Anger
- Increased libido or decreased libido
- Weight loss or weight gain
Though we hesitate to use terms like ‘normal’, as trauma is a common occurrence for someone to go through – sadly – trauma responses can be seen as “socially acceptable, psychologically effective, and self-limited.” What this means is, trauma can hide within somebody as it isn’t necessarily an obvious thing. It can be a more ‘silent’ response. That’s why the best way to support those who have been through trauma is to ensure their environments are safe, allowing for room to address it if they feel comfortable.
It’s important to note that one person’s traumatic experience is singular and what might be traumatic for someone, might not be traumatic for someone else. This does not invalidate someone’s emotional response to a situation. All trauma needs to be respected and the person experiencing said trauma needs a safe space, time and appropriate supports to heal. To mend the blocks to better facilitate their trauma response so that their life can continue in a way that the traumatic experience doesn’t control it.
Vicarious trauma: what actually is it?
Vicarious trauma is a term invented by psychotherapists Pearlman and McCann in 1990 to best describe the effects on trauma therapists from working with clients who have experienced trauma in their life.
It refers to any change in a person from empathetic involvement with trauma survivors.
Any person who supports or engages with those who have undergone trauma in their life – inclusive of health professionals such as doctors – can be affected by vicarious trauma. It is almost like this trauma can take hold of anyone who comes into contact with it. Like a living thing, it can spread which shows the danger and the potency of a traumatic experience. It is never something to overlook.
What happens to someone who is exposed to vicarious trauma?
When someone experiences vicarious trauma, our brains have a way of coping with it. But, this doesn’t mean it is endurable. As soon as someone notices the effects of it, they should reach out for clinical support if they can; a professional can help soothe the debilitating effects of it.
Symptoms might include:
- Intrusive thoughts and reactions
- Taking on too much responsibility as a way to overcompensate for someone else’s trauma
- Trouble leaving work
- Flashbacks
- Frustration and anxiety
- Irritability
- Obsessive thoughts
- Re-imagining of events in your day-to-day life
- Issues managing personal and professional boundaries
- Increased time spent alone
- Loss of enjoyment in activities that would typically bring you joy
Who is at risk of being affected by vicarious trauma?
Cumulative exposure to trauma increases the risk of being affected by vicarious trauma, which means, in this industry, it can be a workplace hazard.
Those who support and spend time with those who have experienced trauma will be more likely to be affected by it, but this doesn’t mean there aren’t preventative measures to take to reduce the likelihood of it. And, it should by no means put off someone who is empathetic and caring from working in the care sector. The most empathetic people make for the best care workers.
Ways to deal with vicarious trauma
As the way we deal with our own trauma response, as well as vicarious trauma, is very singular, self-awareness is the key to noticing when our bodies and our minds are experiencing a unique effect. Take note if you notice any of the above symptoms in yourself, and be conscious of your surroundings. Especially taking note of those who you interact with regularly. Once you recognise symptoms in yourself, you will be more likely to recognise this in others.
Taking care of yourself emotionally and physically can ensure you’re ready to take on a challenging role which requires a positive attitude. Maintaining a healthy work-life balance, and if you struggle with this, reaching out to your company and letting them know you’re struggling. Adjusting your work schedule or who you interact with can ensure you’re looking after yourself first, meaning you’ll be a better carer for those you support.
Remembering you’re not alone, too, can be truly helpful. There are others who experience emotional challenges in their roles on a day-to-day basis. Reaching out to other people in your position can be comforting; it can demystify concepts like trauma. And, with greater knowledge comes a certain power. You can understand your responses and ensure you’re prioritising your mental health, always.
Final Thoughts
Recognising the signs and symptoms of vicarious trauma allow us to be in tune with ourselves, as well as ensuring our environment is one that is safe.
At Kimberley Care Group, we are aware we are working within a beautiful part of the world with a rich history. A history that can be truly upsetting to hear, or attempt to understand – especially as many of the team is made up of people from the Western world.
We are continuing to learn how best to support those suffering from trauma whilst also ensuring we observe the potential effects of vicarious trauma. It’s an ever-evolving task.
If you or someone you know needs support, with vicarious trauma or trauma, encourage them to reach out to a health professional, someone they trust, or a colleague who can help. Opening up a conversation can be the first step to dissolving the power that trauma has.
Some helpful professional numbers can include:
1800 842 846 – Blue Knot Foundation helpline (formerly ASCA Professional Support Line) can provide support, education, and a referral for adult survivors of childhood abuse and trauma.
1800 385 578 – Full Stop Australia helpline has trauma specialist counsellors. They can provide support for people impacted by abuse and violence.
Both these organisations encourage those struggling with trauma and vicarious trauma to contact them.
References:
https://psychology.org.au/for-the-public/psychology-topics/trauma
https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/burnout/art-20046642