Myth 4: Trauma Has To Happen To Us Directly

We don’t have to directly experience one or more traumatic incidents in order to be negatively affected by them. “Vicarious” or “secondary” trauma refers to a profound shift in one’s worldview and sense of safety resulting from repeated exposures to other people’s trauma—say, by witnessing the aftermath of disasters or hearing about vivid details of someone else’s adversity. Mental health professionals, health care professionals, emergency responders as well as clergy members who minister to people suffering from trauma’s effects are at higher risk of vicarious trauma than the general public.