Recovering from Secondary Trauma

Many folks have posted comments and/or sent emails about their reactions to Linda Muegge's murder. It is at times like this that i love the internet and blogging. Strangers and friends can connect and be a support system for each other - it is very powerful.

This morning, I read an email from an Austin friend who is troubled by the Fort Worth woman who killed her children and then herself. First, who wouldn't be troubled by this - it is an awful story. We don't expect mothers to hurt their children, let alone kill them.

Our minds like to make logical connections - that is part of the beauty of our brains. But when we are presented with this kind of violence and tragedy, it is impossible to make sense of it.

The tenderness in our hearts feels grief and sadness for the children and for the extended family that must now live with this as part of their family story.

We ache, because of the suffering. And our mind may give us graphic images of how we think it happened, again, trying to make sense of it all.

Our tendency, when we are faced with something horrible, is to try NOT to think about it. It is our basic instinct. However, Post Traumatic Stress experts tell us that what we need to do is allow ourselves to think about the tragedy, feel our many emotions, talk about our thoughts and feelings, and also take good care of ourselves in terms of healthy living (eating right, exercising, etc).

By allowing our brain to do its own healing work - in this case, to think about the tragedy, we actually take some of the power out of the thought. We release some of the energy by not bottling it up.

Many people seek counseling after a tragedy, and I am wholeheartedly in favor of that. You have a need to talk about the events, and your family members or friends may not be able to listen. It may be too disturbing for them.

A counselor is trained to help you heal. Many counselors, myself included, use specialized therapies to aid in the trauma processing. EMDR is often very effective when you are traumatized, and it can desensitize the thoughts or memories fairly quickly.

Severe trauma, (and PTSD) can come from many sources including: violent crimes such as rape, incest, robbery, assault, murder, car accidents, accidents at work, unexpected death of a close friend or relative, fire, natural disasters such as tornadoes and hurricanes.

Secondary or vicarious trauma can happen when you are traumatized by what you see, hear, or read, and it can be just as troubling as experiencing the trauma firsthand.

If you are haunted by tragedy, there is help available. Find a counselor in your area who specializes in trauma. If you are in the San Antonio, Boerne, Fredericksburg, Kerrville, Bandera, Helotes, or Bulverde area, you are welcome to call me to set up an appointment.

You don't have to go through this alone.
Cynthia

*************
Cynthia McKenna Counseling
www.cynthiamckennacounseling.com
210-557-1715

Comments

[Emily]

How do you know if it's PTSD or not?

[Cynthia McKenna LPC, NCC]

Hi Emily -
That is a great question.

A trauma occurs when a person

•has experienced actual or threatened death or serious injury
or
•has witnessed actual or threatened death or serious injury of another person

The effects of trauma can last a long time and the collection of symptoms can develop into Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Initial signs of PTSD can include:

feeling like you are "in a daze"

trouble sleeping

change in eating habits

being "jumpy" or easily startled

feeling very anxious

repeated checking of doors and windows to make sure they are locked

feelings of sadness

crying a lot

wanting to cry, but can't

having intrusive thoughts about the traumatic event

having nightmares

Immediately after a trauma, these symptoms are known as "acute stress disorder." If the symptoms persist longer than a month, the diagnosis changes to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

Secondary or Vicarious trauma does not have the time distinction - and the symptoms are very similar- in fact can be identical - to PTSD. The difference is that PTSD occurs when YOU have experienced the trauma and secondary or vicarious trauma occurs when you see or hear or read about a a traumatic even. In otherwords, you experience the trauma vicariously.

Is this helpful or have I confused you?

I have three articles on my website related to trauma - go to:
www.cynthiamckennacounseling.com/articles/trauma.htm
Cynthia

[Emily]

Very helpful. I have written about my anxiety on my blog. I wonder if this is one of the reasons...