The term trauma involves an extreme encounter with an event or situation that often leaves us vulnerable and creates an imprint in our emotional memory bank that tends to influence us on various levels. Trauma can produce several forms of mental health struggles, from PTSD to anxiety and even long-term struggles with grief.
There are various types of trauma-induced disorders, and their impact varies from person to person. Some disorders are developed after direct exposure to events, and some as a result of being a witness or participating in assisting someone in physical peril or emotionally traumatized. Though there are various forms of trauma, for this blog, we will focus on a lesser-known type referred to as Vicarious trauma.
What Is Vicarious Trauma
Vicarious trauma is the result of the gradual wear and tear of being a caretaker who witnesses the pain and suffering of others over some time. In many ways, it is a form of burnout, often created by debilitating elements faced while working with people struggling with trauma, chronic mental health, and life challenges.
It is easier to understand trauma disorders when it comes to individuals directly impacted. However, it is much more challenging to identify vicarious disorders because it is often related to the individuals who serve as caretakers of traumatized individuals. Caretakers are assigned the task of ensuring that trauma victims regain stability and find a way to heal. The caretaker is expected to remain solid and stable throughout their service history.
Types of individuals most vulnerable:
Though anyone who helps individuals, whether professionally or not, can eventually struggle with vicarious trauma, the following professionals have a higher potential of developing a diagnosis of vicarious trauma disorder.
- Medical professionals
Medical professionals have the difficult task of engaging in life-saving medical care that may or may not produce ideal outcomes. Medical teams, whether it's a nurse, doctor, or surgeon, if a procedure fails or someone does not get immediate care, the level of blame can be enormous to manage, especially when a patient expires. Nothing explains vicarious trauma more clearly than the Covid epidemic and its impact on the mental well-being of the medical staff who worked long hours and witnessed dozens of individuals dying. - Mental Health workers
Many mental health workers carry secrets and painful stories from many of their caseloads. The number of patients that unload in therapists throughout time can become daunting and emotionally draining. After a while, mental workers learn to cope by becoming indifferent and, at times, emotionally disconnected. - Childcare workers
Individuals who have the task of removing children from homes carry the heavy burden of breaking up families. Though the practice of separating kids from their families is often a matter of safety, many children do not comprehend the reasons. There are times when childcare workers have to retrieve children from the premises where parents have been killed or died of drug overdoses, leaving both the kids in eternal shock and the workers numb.
What contributes to Vicarious Traumatization
- Not engaging in regular self-care routines.
- Not having proper supervision.
- Never taking vacations or sick days, even when needed
- Not having a social life or friends outside work
- Work becomes one's identity
- Not knowing how to say no or setting boundaries with demanding bosses
- Overworking and little rest periods
- High caseload and intense paperwork requirement
- Limited support system
- Unrealistic work expectations coupled with challenging clientele
- intense long work hours interfere with eating and sleeping properly
- Work isolation
- A hostile work environment that diminishes wellness
How does vicarious trauma manifest
Manifestation of vicarious trauma is different from person to person, which also makes it harder to recognize since the symptoms vary a great deal from each individual. However, some symptoms may include some of the following:
- Taking excess mental health or sick days
- Forgetfulness that impacts both work and home
- Irritability and short-fused over minor things
- Chronic stomach issues, headaches, skin rash, excess acne, lower back pain, frequent asthma attacks and persistent colds
- Poor eating habits, such as overeating of sugary products or not eating
- Mood swings
- Impatience with others
- Bouts of depression or crying
- Increase in drinking or substance abuse
- Overidentifying with client
- Feeling like a failure and hopeless
- Becoming disorganized
- Bickering and passive-aggressive to others
- being overly sensitive to comments not meant as insults
- Struggling with professional boundaries
Vicarious trauma can be complex to treat, mainly because it impacts caretakers who are used to caring more for others than themselves. Caretakers often feel guilt and shame in asking for help and tend to see themselves as burdens whenever they need help. However, an empty cup cannot quench thirst, which means that to care for others, you must learn to care for yourself as best as possible.
Preventive Self-care
There isn't one method that fits everyone regarding preventive self-care. However, it is essential to practice restorative and revitalizing routines regularly, regardless of how ideal your place of work is or how well-adjusted you may be. The fact is that even in satisfying work environments, things do occur that will impact us emotionally. It can be the tragic loss of a wonderful co-worker or patient, or simply being worn out by the constant attempts to help individuals as a whole can take its toll over time. Here are some self-care recommendations, but do remember, you can add to whatever helps you in addition to the recommendations:
- Outside hobbies – they help change the focus of your day-to-day work routine.
- Physical Exercise –. Fitness is not about thinness but physical performance; try to maintain a routine of 15 to 30 minutes at least five days a week that keeps your body moving (dancing, biking, swimming, yoga, weights, jump rope, etc.)
- Eat for energy - Eat enough to sustain your physical endurance and energy levels.
- Meditate—Take time for breathing or visualization meditation. Introspective work like meditation will help you stay focused, grounded, and balanced.
- Get into reading – Books can be powerful tools that go beyond just entertaining us. Books can be therapeutic, thought-provoking, encouraging, informative, and one healthy way to escape.
- Seek support—it helps to share with others who work in the same field as us. They can offer supportive advice or simply provide a format for venting.
- Supervision- You must bring challenging work issues that create stress for you as they occur rather than after they become unbearable.
- Therapy – Since supervisors are not supposed to do counseling, it is helpful to seek professional help if you find yourself struggling.
- Journaling – maintain a regular journal of thoughts and topics that challenge you and a gratitude list.
You cannot help anyone if you are weak and tired. Prioritizing self-care is not selfish or diva-like behavior but a survival tactic that allows you to maintain your energy levels and mental well-being. Please take care of yourself.
Copyright 2024 R. Castro
Resources
For more information, please explore the following links.
Coping with Burnout, Vicarious Trauma, and Secondary Traumatic Stress
https://youtu.be/ZY8jZlycYDs?si=mwSoTY03UOZP6JOf
Vicarious trauma: signs and strategies for coping
https://www.bma.org.uk/advice-and-support/your-wellbeing/vicarious-trauma/vicarious-trauma-signs-and-strategies-for-coping
Book
Some books are available for you to explore trauma and self-care further.
Abundance Beyond Trauma: Discovering Your Courage for Change and Commitment to Yourself by Jeannine L. Rashidi and Wayne Purdin
Mind Your Mind: Develop Self-Care Mental habits, Nurture and Cultivate your Mind and Increase Your Intellectual Well-Being by Manjul Tewari.
No comments:
Post a Comment