People who volunteer their time and talents to work with those who have experienced pain and loss may develop a traumatic response to what they have seen and heard.
Called “vicarious traumatization” or “compassion fatigue,” the constellation of symptoms can include intrusive images and thoughts, hypervigilance, fear, numbing, difficulty sleeping, irritability, and depression.
Some of the very qualities that motivate people to become volunteers may be the qualities that make it difficult for them to pace themselves or even allow themselves to recognize that they are becoming traumatized.
A desire to help others can lead people to ignore physical fatigue or emotional exhaustion. Observing and hearing about the atrocities that exist in the world can lead to a spiritual crisis, a questioning of the world view that one had prior to becoming aware first-hand of the tragedies that some people experience.
Some people may try to deal with these symptoms in unhealthy ways, such as excessive drinking, using illicit drugs, and over- or under-eating. They may also experience difficulty relating to friends and family members and begin isolating themselves.
My next blog entry will address some ways to prevent vicarious traumatization.
Hope Makes Healing Possible!
Patricia Sherman, Ph.D., LCSW
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