Secondary PTSD and Compassion Fatigue

As helpers, whether that be in a professional or personal capacity, it is hard to not take on the weight of the experiences the children we care for and work with have endured. Sometimes it can feel overwhelming and even debilitating. It is a completely normal reaction to the situation you are in, and it is okay to feel whatever you may feel. It is also important to recognize the impact you are having and utilize necessary interventi person is different and may be impacted in different ways. Here is a general list of signs of secondary traumatic stress, also known as compassion fatigue taken from The National Child Traumatic Stress Network.

·        Hypervigilance

·        Hopelessness

·        Inability to embrace complexity

·        Inability to listen, avoidance of clients

·        Anger and cynicism

·        Sleeplessness

·        Fear

·        Chronic Exhaustion

·        Physical Ailments

·        Guilt

·        Minimizing

While these symptoms can be very difficult to manage, the first step in getting through what you may be experiencing is acknowledging the impact it has made on you and asking for help. In a professional setting, most employees have some sort of Employee Assistance Program which should offer counseling. You should also practice self-care such as daily exercise and mindfulness activities. If you are struggling with Secondary Post Traumatic Stress, please reach out to your employer if you are experiencing this in your professional career. If you are a kinship caregiver caring for a child and experiencing symptoms of compassion fatigue, please reach out to your kinship navigator or dial 2-1-1 to get resources today. You are not alone. We are here to help.