Title: The Impact of Second-Hand Trauma
Headings: The Impact of Second-Hand Trauma
The Impact of Second-Hand Trauma
Treatment for Second-Hand Trauma:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing
Seek Professional Help

Content: The Impact of Second-Hand Trauma
The Impact of Second-Hand Trauma
July 6, 2016 by Susan Daniel
These days, there seems to be no escaping disturbing news coverage of shocking events around our nation. With increasing reports of mass shootings on school campuses, in movie theaters, and most recently, the Pulse Nightclub in Orlando, these tragedies not only affect the families and friends of the victims, first responders, hospital workers, and law enforcement, but also the general public who are reliving these horrific incidents vicariously through the media. Secondary Traumatic Stress (STS) is a genuine disorder that affects individuals who did not witness the traumatic event first-hand, but was exposed to it in other ways such as their profession (clergy, counselor, emergency personnel, etc.), familiarity with someone who was impacted, or repeated exposure through the media. The symptoms are comparable to those of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) or other trauma disorders that may include: Agitation or irritability
Confusion
Intense fear
Hypervigilant
Angry outbursts
Sad or depressed
Feelings of guilt or hopelessness
Nightmares or sleeplessness
Constantly worried about death
Unable to focus or concentrate
Avoidance of public places
Chronic illness (i.e. headaches, stomach pain)
Socially withdrawn or dissociated
Insensitive to violence
Treatment for Second-Hand Trauma: Knowing and understanding that second-hand trauma is a real disorder that can affect daily lives is the first step to recovery. The second step is connecting with a qualified therapist who can provide counseling along with a treatment plan to bring balance back into everyday living. With treatment, symptoms can go away as early as a few weeks. However, without counseling the symptoms can last for months or years, and morph into other types of disorders and behaviors that may include the abuse of drugs or alcohol.