Title: What is Vicarious Trauma | AHU Online
Headings: Vicarious Trauma: Information, Prevention and Resources
Vicarious Trauma: Information, Prevention and Resources
What Is Vicarious Trauma?
Examples of Vicarious Trauma
How to Identify Vicarious Trauma
How to Address Vicarious Trauma
Vicarious Trauma and the AHU Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Recommended Readings
Sources

Content: At first, she responded by taking on even more work despite the toll it was taking on her mental health because she felt that taking a break from her work would be a sign of weakness and failure. Eventually, her doctor prescribed 30 days off from work. Only after that long break did she realize the devastating impact of the vicarious trauma she felt. The lesson Harvey-Rolfe learned from her experience with vicarious trauma was how important it is for people who care for victims of trauma to take care of themselves as well. Healthcare providers are particularly susceptible to vicarious trauma, which is also called secondary trauma and secondary traumatic stress because those who are affected frequently work with people who are experiencing or have recently gone through a traumatic event. Nurses and other healthcare professionals need to know what vicarious trauma is, how to identify vicarious trauma, and how to support themselves and their coworkers who are affected by the condition. What Is Vicarious Trauma? GoodTherapy defines vicarious trauma as “indirect exposure to a traumatic event through firsthand account or narrative of that event.” While emergency responders, healthcare workers, and people in law enforcement are at greatest risk of vicarious trauma, the condition can affect anyone who has a “significant relationship with a survivor of trauma,” according to the site. In the course of their work, therapists, nurses, and other healthcare professionals must ask patients to recount the traumatic events that caused their injuries.