Resources for Secondary Trauma?
October 16, 2018 9:20 AM
I am looking for books, articles, and information on secondary PTSD/ vicarious trauma. Most of what I find is (rightly) geared towards primary survivors, but I would appreciate anything geared specifically to the experiencing of working with people directly impacted by severe trauma.
I'm an activist who works with vulnerable populations and their stories are sometimes very hard to get out of my head. I lack people to talk to in my circles since I am relatively privileged and a lot of what I see and deal with are things that don't touch the lives of the privileged. I deal with a lot of anger at people who don't know the things I know, as well as feelings of being overwhelmed or having to carry a heavy burden (while having to manage my emotions so they don't interfere with the work I'm doing.) The work I do is also heavily politicized and I often meet disagreement or outright hostility from others, which is also difficult to cope with.
My therapist thinks this is secondary trauma, which it probably is. I feel at a loss to deal with it since I don't see a lot of support out there, and most of what I can find is geared towards rescue workers for natural disasters, etc, and lacks the political dimension which is part of what has felt so isolating for me. But then, resources for left-wing activists often assume you are personally affected by the issue you're working on, which is not the case for me, because, privilege.
I'm an activist who works with vulnerable populations and their stories are sometimes very hard to get out of my head. I lack people to talk to in my circles since I am relatively privileged and a lot of what I see and deal with are things that don't touch the lives of the privileged. I deal with a lot of anger at people who don't know the things I know, as well as feelings of being overwhelmed or having to carry a heavy burden (while having to manage my emotions so they don't interfere with the work I'm doing.) The work I do is also heavily politicized and I often meet disagreement or outright hostility from others, which is also difficult to cope with.
My therapist thinks this is secondary trauma, which it probably is. I feel at a loss to deal with it since I don't see a lot of support out there, and most of what I can find is geared towards rescue workers for natural disasters, etc, and lacks the political dimension which is part of what has felt so isolating for me. But then, resources for left-wing activists often assume you are personally affected by the issue you're working on, which is not the case for me, because, privilege.
I searched secondary trauma resources counselors and came up with some pretty good hits and scholarly articles. Also compassion fatigue is a common term.
posted by AlexiaSky at 10:26 AM on October 16, 2018
posted by AlexiaSky at 10:26 AM on October 16, 2018
I think "vicarious trauma" is a term often used. You might have luck searching that.
posted by bearette at 11:39 AM on October 16, 2018
posted by bearette at 11:39 AM on October 16, 2018
A close friend of mine runs a crisis line, and swears by the book Trauma Stewardship by Laura van Dernoot Lipsky. I don't know if it will contain the political dimension you're looking for, but he and his team have found it tremendously useful in helping them deal with their jobs and their emotional effects.
posted by lhputtgrass at 11:48 AM on October 16, 2018
posted by lhputtgrass at 11:48 AM on October 16, 2018
Here's a nice rundown from the American Bar Association - aimed at lawyers, of course, but I think a lot of it would be relevant for you.
More generally, I suggest searching for secondary trauma + nonprofits (even if you aren't working with a nonprofit). Those resources may be more helpful for you because they are aimed at people who primarily encounter the sources of their trauma through the work they have chosen to do, rather than through their day-to-day life.
And on a personal note: my last job was with a nonprofit that worked with some of the most vulnerable people on the planet, and part of my role was to write detailed, emotionally affecting narratives about the things they went through. I had no idea how much it was affecting me until the week after I left, when I was drinking with a friend and just burst into sobs verging on panic and told them all these stories that I'd more or less shrugged off before, like the stored-up awfulness just hit me all at once. I had been doing some hardcore repressing that I'm still working through now.
Secondary trauma is real and it fucking sucks. I never even met any of the people I was writing about, and I quit that job over a year ago, and I still got tense just writing this out. I'm glad you're looking for ways to take care of yourself.
posted by showbiz_liz at 12:45 PM on October 16, 2018
More generally, I suggest searching for secondary trauma + nonprofits (even if you aren't working with a nonprofit). Those resources may be more helpful for you because they are aimed at people who primarily encounter the sources of their trauma through the work they have chosen to do, rather than through their day-to-day life.
And on a personal note: my last job was with a nonprofit that worked with some of the most vulnerable people on the planet, and part of my role was to write detailed, emotionally affecting narratives about the things they went through. I had no idea how much it was affecting me until the week after I left, when I was drinking with a friend and just burst into sobs verging on panic and told them all these stories that I'd more or less shrugged off before, like the stored-up awfulness just hit me all at once. I had been doing some hardcore repressing that I'm still working through now.
Secondary trauma is real and it fucking sucks. I never even met any of the people I was writing about, and I quit that job over a year ago, and I still got tense just writing this out. I'm glad you're looking for ways to take care of yourself.
posted by showbiz_liz at 12:45 PM on October 16, 2018
Trauma Stewardship: An Everyday Guide to Caring for Self While Caring for Others by Laura van Dernoot Lipsky is a wonderful book geared exactly toward what you're asking.
posted by lazuli at 4:45 PM on October 16, 2018
posted by lazuli at 4:45 PM on October 16, 2018
Thirding Trauma Stewardship, I'm a trauma therapist and it has been so helpful. Also if you get a chance to go see Laura speak or go to one of her 2 day presentations, go! She is a great and dynamic speaker.
posted by fairlynearlyready at 10:23 PM on October 16, 2018
posted by fairlynearlyready at 10:23 PM on October 16, 2018
Thanks everyone! I ordered the Trauma Stewardship book because it looked like the best fit for what I'm looking for. Thank you for your help!
posted by coffeeand at 6:56 AM on October 17, 2018
posted by coffeeand at 6:56 AM on October 17, 2018
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posted by speakeasy at 9:33 AM on October 16, 2018