Trauma Caregivers

Vulnerability of Trauma Caregivers

Anyone with the capacity for empathy is vulnerable to the effects of secondary trauma, compassion fatigue, or vicarious trauma. Therefore, anyone capable of healthy attachments with other human beings is vulnerable. However, certain situations can create higher risk. Trauma caregivers working in isolation without the support of colleagues, family, or friends are more vulnerable to the effects of secondary trauma. Bearing the burden of care-giving alone is problematic. When trauma caregiv-ers work in situations in which they feel helpless, hopeless, or overwhelmed, they are at higher risk of suffering symptoms of secondary traumatization. Traumatic events involving children or youth have a greater impact on helping family members as well as on professionals. Gross, gory, or disturbingly intense sensations, whether visual, auditory, or olfactory, can haunt trauma workers. Prolonged hours of work without sufficient breaks increase the risk. A feeling of helplessness resulting from a lack of equipment, equipment failure, or lack of support from others can be damaging. Caregivers who have preexisting health or mental health issues are also likely to be more vulnerable. Additionally, situations that create sleep deprivation, lack of self-care, and unrelenting responsibility can be detrimental. The caregivers who have chronic situations that prevent them from having a healthy balance of activities or from having their own needs met are also at risk. Trauma caregivers who lack any respite or support from others are at great risk for suffering secondary trauma symptoms.

Awareness and Understanding of the Cost of Being a Caregiver

Recent research has highlighted the serious consequences of trauma caregiving, such as health decline, emotional problems, family breakdown, addictions, and suicide. Despite this danger, many find caregiving rewarding, especially at the start. Caregivers may initially begin at a place of health, well-being, and strength. They may feel pleased to be able to offer their energy to ease the suffering of those who have been traumatized. What begins as rewarding, however, can become overwhelming. The burdens and costs of being a caregiver may subtly increase. Consequently, the daily strain is increased so gradually that caregivers fail to recognize the effects on themselves. The inherent rewards in their work may create a tendency to overindulge in spending time with those to whom they are giving care, at the expense of their own life balance. These boundaries are also frequently compromised because of the pressures and expectations of organizations that often fail to support workers or to set boundaries for them to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Workers who are most vulnerable are overly conscientious, perfection-istic, and self-giving. Sufferers of compassion fatigue may feel chronically tired and irritable, dread going to work or walking into their patients' rooms, lack joy in life, feel trapped, abuse alcohol or have other addictive behaviors, overeat, or experience an aggravation of their existing physical ailments. Affected caregivers may become more cynical, feel empty, or feel that life is meaningless. Existential questioning, doubts, and demoralization increase as the cumulative effects of compassion fatigue amplify.

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