Watch Tabasom Eblaghie on CTV news talking about Secondary Trauma
What is Secondary Trauma and have I been affected as a result of the Earthquake & Tsunami in Japan?
By Tabasom Eblaghie
Registered Clinical Counsellor
Generate Hope Counselling Services
After watching the news for a few days and clearly witnessing the horror and trauma of the people of Japan, its hard to avoid the feelings of deep pain, anxiety, helplessness & anxiety. We do know about trauma but few talk about the effects of vicarious trauma.
Secondary or vicarious trauma can occur when you see or hear about a traumatic event, and even if it didn’t happen to you, the effects are felt as though it did.
Our society is changing – we are all becoming reporters and journalists of our own lives. No one could capture the images that are coming out of Japan as well as those who actually went through it. Like never before we are seeing very graphic images of what happened. It makes it that much more real for us, like we were right there with the victims of the earthquake and the tsunami. The screaming of the victims, and their terror seeps into every image and video and our nervous system reacts as though we were right there with them.
Who is at risk?
Anyone can become vicariously traumatized through seeing and hearing about traumatic events. The effect may be more on individuals with:
1) A past history of unresolved trauma – the images may serve as a trigger
2) Friends and family living in the area
3) Those whose lives feel out of balance at the present moment, or are experiencing a sense of isolation.
What are the symptoms we should look for?
* Do you have intrusive thoughts of the event, even when you didn’t mean to think about it?
* Are you re-playing the horror of it over and over again in your head?
* Disturbed sleep
* Digestion problems
* Anger
* Anxiety
* Depression and sadness
* Emotional exhaustion
* Trouble making decisions
* Difficulty concentrating
* Difficulty remembering things
* Increase in addictive behaviors
* Withdrawing & isolation from loved ones and friends
Secondary trauma affects those who are sensitive and kind and should not be thought of as a sign of weakness.
What can we do to reduce the effects of vicarious trauma? When life gets out of control, that’s when we need to slow down and figure out what is actually in our control and take action.
Here are a few suggestions:
1) We can talk to others. Reach out to our loved ones, friends and co-workers. Therapy is also another way of dealing with the grief & trauma.
2) Reduce number of hours spent watching the news and select our news channel wisely. Some stations are more prone to fast paced language and terror schemes to horrify and scare us.
3) Stop watching all news at a reasonable time at night so that our mind and body has time to wind down and relax. Watching news until right before bed may deeply affect our sleep and general feeling of well-being.
4) Going outside for some fresh air. Deep breathing and a quick walk will do wonders for reducing anxiety and tension.
5) Exercise! Half an hour of exercise is the equivalent of taking an anti-anxiety medication or anti-depressant.
6) Appreciate our lives. There is so much to be grateful for, even if it’s as simple as the fresh air we breathe or the clean water that we enjoy.
7) Pray. We can’t forget our spiritual side.
8) Eat & drink healthy. It becomes very easy to reach for “unhealthy” snacks or drinks when we are under stress, which will make us crash and burn. Reach for healthy fruits and vegetables, and drink lots of water.
9) Nurture those relationships that are important to you. Having that sense of belonging and shared understanding of the trauma will leave us feeling more balanced and in control.
10) Volunteer or donate money to reputable organizations that are helping those in need. By reaching out and giving rather than going inwards and isolating ourselves, we can maintain better mental health.
To make an appointment for a counselling session with Tabasom, please call (604)889-3635.
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