Secondary traumatic stress: Does it really exist?
22-10-2024
It is not necessary for a person to have experienced a stressful event first hand to be going through traumatic stress – merely witnessing an event can be enough.
Secondary trauma describes negative emotional effects when one is exposed to traumatic events secondhand: from hearing horrible stories, watching shocking events on TV, or seeing gruesome pictures and images on the internet.
The Beirut port explosion and the current violent conflict in Lebanon are both stark examples of how secondary traumatic stress can affect a nation. The explosion resulted in hundreds of deaths and thousands of injuries. This firsthand trauma is intensified by the ongoing conflict, where individuals may experience the emotional fallout from violence and instability, leaving many homeless and witnessing their communities devastated.
The rest of the nation, and indeed the world, may experience this trauma in secondary forms - watching footage of the explosions and personal videos shared online, following the news coverage, assisting in the retrieval of bodies and the injured from under the rubble, discovering that friends or loved ones had either died or been hospitalised, or simply witnessing the devastating aftermath and widespread destruction. Both events illustrate how trauma can ripple through society, impacting mental health and well-being on a widespread scale and emphasizing the need for understanding and support in addressing secondary traumatic stress.
Even for bystanders, the risks of negative mental consequences are real. While it is important to stay informed on local and international news, over exposure to distressing media content is related to a decline in mental and physical health.
Some signs of secondary traumatic stress
Survivor’s guilt can be a trap
When you think about all the distressing things that are happening around you, normal activities may begin to feel shallow or pointless. Sinking into despair and empathasing with the suffering of others seems the appropriate reaction, whereas enjoying your life and comforts seem selfish.
In the face of all the suffering in the world, it is normal to feel helpless. Many people may feel guilty for carrying on with their lives. However, we cannot carry that weight on our shoulders. We all have our own burdens to deal with and must resume with our lives, helping others whenever we can.
Practical advice on how to cope
In order to minimise secondary stress and survivor’s guilt, ensuring your well-being is of prime importance. Stay mindful of your actions and take it one step at a time. Here are some tips on ow to cope:
If you feel that your distress is interfering with your relationships, work or your daily routine, then do not hesitate to seek professional help. A therapist can give you the right tools to make the situation more manageable.
Start your online therapy journey
Our qualified psychologists can guide you through ways to deal with secondary traumatic stress or any other challenges you may be facing. Select the one that is right for you.
Start now
If you enjoyed this article, you might also be interested in Traumatic stress: What is it and how to cope with it.
Secondary trauma describes negative emotional effects when one is exposed to traumatic events secondhand: from hearing horrible stories, watching shocking events on TV, or seeing gruesome pictures and images on the internet.
The Beirut port explosion and the current violent conflict in Lebanon are both stark examples of how secondary traumatic stress can affect a nation. The explosion resulted in hundreds of deaths and thousands of injuries. This firsthand trauma is intensified by the ongoing conflict, where individuals may experience the emotional fallout from violence and instability, leaving many homeless and witnessing their communities devastated.
The rest of the nation, and indeed the world, may experience this trauma in secondary forms - watching footage of the explosions and personal videos shared online, following the news coverage, assisting in the retrieval of bodies and the injured from under the rubble, discovering that friends or loved ones had either died or been hospitalised, or simply witnessing the devastating aftermath and widespread destruction. Both events illustrate how trauma can ripple through society, impacting mental health and well-being on a widespread scale and emphasizing the need for understanding and support in addressing secondary traumatic stress.
Even for bystanders, the risks of negative mental consequences are real. While it is important to stay informed on local and international news, over exposure to distressing media content is related to a decline in mental and physical health.
Some signs of secondary traumatic stress
- Feeling angrier and more irritable than usual
- Feeling jumpy and nervous
- Increased emotional sensitivity, such as crying in public
- Having intrusive thoughts and flashbacks
- Disturbed sleep patterns and nightmares
- Feeling numb or “zoned out”
- Experiencing feelings of guilt, fear or grief
- Trouble feeling positive emotions in activities you previously loved.
Survivor’s guilt can be a trap
When you think about all the distressing things that are happening around you, normal activities may begin to feel shallow or pointless. Sinking into despair and empathasing with the suffering of others seems the appropriate reaction, whereas enjoying your life and comforts seem selfish.
In the face of all the suffering in the world, it is normal to feel helpless. Many people may feel guilty for carrying on with their lives. However, we cannot carry that weight on our shoulders. We all have our own burdens to deal with and must resume with our lives, helping others whenever we can.
Practical advice on how to cope
In order to minimise secondary stress and survivor’s guilt, ensuring your well-being is of prime importance. Stay mindful of your actions and take it one step at a time. Here are some tips on ow to cope:
- Remain aware of people’s pain but don’t neglect your personal duties
- Stay kind and patient with yourself – It is healthy and normal to feel shaken after a traumatic event
- Take things one day at a time – slow down and listen to your feelings, process your emotions and try to make sense of what is happening at the present time
- Connect to your emotions – Survivor’s guilt is usually anger in disguise. If this anger is self-directed, it can be crushingly painful. Try to connect to this anger and re-direct it by doing something good, like helping others or doing something for yourself
- Empower yourself by moving towards more meaningful actions – donate money to humanitarian funds, join a protest, sign a petition – there are loads of worthwhile causes to become involved in
- Control what you can control
- Ease back into a regular routine – go to work, meet up with friends, exercise, eat nutritious meals, sleep at a proper hour
- Seek out other healthy coping strategies – music, books, meditation.
If you feel that your distress is interfering with your relationships, work or your daily routine, then do not hesitate to seek professional help. A therapist can give you the right tools to make the situation more manageable.
Start your online therapy journey
Our qualified psychologists can guide you through ways to deal with secondary traumatic stress or any other challenges you may be facing. Select the one that is right for you.
Start now
If you enjoyed this article, you might also be interested in Traumatic stress: What is it and how to cope with it.
