10 Things to Help You Deal With Vicarious Trauma
These days it feels like every time we turn on the news, there is another incident of hate against the LGBTQ+ community. Whether it’s “don’t say gay” legislation or the mass shooting at Club Q in Colorado, being exposed to other people’s trauma, especially that of people who are part of a group one identifies with, is experiencing that trauma vicariously.
It’s not unlike what first responders experience when dealing with trauma daily. This vicarious trauma has real impact on one’s mental well-being.
Here are 10 ways to help mitigate those effects. 1. Remember that every response to trauma is valid. You may find that you are experiencing feelings that are extreme, rapidly change or seem unlike you.
Validate those feelings. Better Health has more info about trauma reaction.2. Physical self-care is important, even if you don’t feel like it.Rest.
