NISVS/TBI - Secondary Trauma Training

Secondary Trauma
Gordon Hughes
Team Lead Employee Assistance Program

March 30, 2022

WorkLife Wellness Office (WWO)

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Secondary Trauma - Cognitive
Lowered Concentration
Apathy
Rigid Thinking
Perfectionism
Preoccupied with Trauma

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Secondary Trauma - Emotional
Guilt
Anger
Numbness
Sadness
Helplessness

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Secondary Trauma - Behavioral
Withdrawal
Sleep Disturbance
Appetite Change
Hyper-vigilance
Elevated Startle Response

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Secondary Trauma - Physical
Increased Heart Rate
Difficulty Breathing
Muscle & Joint Pain
Impaired Immune System
Increased Medical Concerns

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Compassion Fatigue (Vicarious Trauma)
The cost of caring.

-Figley, 1982

Sufferers can exhibit symptoms such as overall decrease in
experiences of pleasure, constant stress and anxiety, and a
pervasive negative attitude. This can lead to detrimental
effects, both professionally and personally, including a
decrease in productivity, the inability to focus, and the
development of new feelings of incompetence and self
doubt. -Wikipedia

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Compassion Fatigue (continued)
The cumulative build-up over time of:
•

•

•

•

Primary stress (direct trauma
experience of provider)
PLUS
Secondary stress (direct witnessing of
other’s trauma)
PLUS
Vicarious traumatization (hearing
other’s trauma stories)
CAN EQUAL
Compassion fatigue

National Center for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

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Prevention & Intervention
Strategies
Life Balance
Creative Expression
Relaxation Techniques
Learn to say “NO”
Time Management
Get support
Develop a Plan for Coping Journaling
Professional Support
Ask for Help

8)
NCPTS

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Definition of Resilience
The ability to withstand, recover, and grow in the
face of stressors and changing demands.

Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff
CJCSI 3405.01 1 Sep 2011

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Factors Associated with Resilience
Factor

Enhances

Detracts

Hardiness

Commitment, control,
challenge

Indecision, perceived lack of
control

Self-enhancement

Positive self-bias/view

Low self-esteem

Cognitive appraisals

Harm/threat assessment
Overwhelmed by task,
and controllability, optimism insecurity

Coping styles

Adaptive/flexible, make
Avoidant, confrontational
plans, self-control, proactive

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Attributes of Resilient Communities
• Connectedness, commitment,
and shared values
• Participation
• Support and nurturance
• Structure, roles, and
responsibilities
• Resources
• Critical reflection and skill building
• Communication
• Disaster management
B. Pfefferbaum et al. (2007) and R. L. Pfefferbaum et al. (2008)

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The Road to Resilience
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

Make connections
Avoid seeing crisis as insurmountable
problem
Accept that change is a part of living
Move toward your goals
Take decisive actions
Look for opportunities for selfdiscovery
Nurture a positive view of yourself
Keep things in perspective
Maintain a hopeful outlook
Take care of yourself

WorkLife Wellness Office (WWO)

http://www.apa.org/helpcenter/road-resilience.aspx

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Exercise is Our Friend
• Positive impact on resting
heart rate, blood
pressure, cholesterol,
cardiorespiratory function
• ↑ Increase energy
expenditure  can lead
to weight loss or
maintenance

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• Improves fitness
• ↓ Lowers risk of
cardiovascular disease and
stroke
• ↑ Increases energy levels
• Improves sleep habits
• ↑ Improves mood endorphins are FREE

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Self-Care
When should self-care begin? How important is it?
Does taking time for yourself detract from your work?
NO—IT IS ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL!!!
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•
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•
•

Physical:
Emotional:
Cognitive:
Behavioral:
Spiritual:

nutrition, exercise, sports, sleep, reduce caffeine
family, friends, social support, relaxation, music
training, reading, perspective, expectations
personal/family preparedness, civic involvement
meditate, pray, fellowship, volunteer, Tai Chi

https://socialwork.buffalo.edu/resources/self-care-starter-kit/developing-your-self-care-plan.html
https://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2016/08/10/what-self-care-is-and-what-it-isnt-2/?li_source=LI&li_medium=popular17

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Is Your Work/Life Balanced?
What percent of your day is devoted to:

Sleeping

Commuting

Working

Family(ing)

Relaxing
Other

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Exercising

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Sample of Online Resources
https://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/basics/pahealth/index.htm?CDC_AA_refVal=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fphysicalactivity%2Feveryone%2Fhealth%2Findex
.html
http://www.apa.org/helpcenter/manage-stress.aspx
http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/basics/stress-basics/hlv-20049495
https://www.helpguide.org/articles/stress/stress-management.htm
http://www.compassionfatigue.org/pages/reading.html
http://scrubsmag.com/you-can-cope-with-compassion-fatigue/
https://www.samhsa.gov/samhsaNewsLetter/Volume_22_Number_2/preventing_suicide/preventing_compassion_fatigue.h
tml
https://www.forbes.com/sites/vanessaloder/2015/01/30/how-to-prevent-burnout-13-signs-youre-on-theedge/#7c848f1a4e3d
https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/pressure-proof/201306/7-strategies-prevent-burnout
https://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2012/04/30/5-ways-to-prevent-job-burnout/
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Questions & Comments?
[email protected]
http://intranet.cdc.gov/wellness

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