Vicarious Trauma vs. Compassion Fatigue
What is vicarious trauma?
Impact of indirect exposure to trauma (ie hearing about or witnessing someone else’s traumatic experiences) that alters one’s view of the world and/or the self.
What can it look like?
intrusive thoughts, nightmares, emotional distress, changes in worldview (increased cynicism, decreased sense of safety), nervous system dysregulation, difficulty maintaining professional boundaries, disconnection from social supports.
What is compassion fatigue?
Physical and/or emotional exhaustion because of consistent exposure to and empathic engagement with others’ pain and suffering.
What can it look like?
Emotional changes (increased irritability, overwhelm), physical symptoms (headaches, sleep issues) reduced empathy, relational challenges (social withdrawal).
Coping Skills
Proactively check in:
develop awareness into your own window of tolerance. use these insights to guide your approach to self-care. hyperarousal may call for deep breathing, while hypoarousal may require you to go for a quick walk. reconnect with your values: hopelessness and disillusionment about your ability to make a difference are common. reflect on key values that brought you to this work in the first place to guide your actions.
Be gentle towards yourself:
engage in mindfulness practices that support you in making a nonjudgmental, realistic assessment of where you are. lean on your support network: healing is relational.
WE NEED EACH OTHER!
