Symptoms and Treatment for Secondary Traumatic Stress

July 30 2025 TalktoAngel 0 comments 806 Views

If you've ever felt emotionally drained or haunted by someone else’s traumatic story—whether you're a therapist, nurse, teacher, social worker, or even a journalist—you may be experiencing something called Secondary Traumatic Stress (STS). It's more common than you think and just as important to address as direct trauma.

In this post, we’ll break down what STS is, how to recognise it, and most importantly, how to treat it before it takes a toll on your mental and physical health.

What is Secondary Traumatic Stress (STS)?

The mental suffering that results from experiencing another person's tragic events vicariously is known as secondary traumatic stress disorder (STS). First responders, nurses, doctors, mental health care providers, and children of traumatised parents have all been studied for secondary trauma.

Reasons for secondary traumatic stress

Figley( 1995) outlined four factors that place professionals working with trauma victims at risk:

1. Empathy serves as a crucial resource for trauma workers in their efforts to assist the traumatised.

2. Numerous trauma workers have encountered some form of traumatic event in their own lives.

3. The unresolved trauma of the worker may be triggered by accounts of similar trauma from clients.

4. The trauma experienced by children can also be particularly provocative for caregivers.

Symptoms of secondary Traumatic stress

According to studies, the symptoms associated with Secondary Traumatic Stress (STS) are similar to those of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

Individuals experience stress in various ways and may exhibit different responses. These responses can encompass a mix of cognitive, behavioural, emotional, and physical symptoms.

Emotional symptoms may consist of:

Grief
Helplessness
Feeling loss
Anger
Guilt
Numbness

Cognitive symptoms may include:

Apathy
Difficulty concentrating
Rigid thinking
Preoccupation with trauma
Perfectionism

Behavioural symptoms may manifest as:

Sleep disturbances
Withdrawal
Changes in appetite
Hypervigilance
Elevated startle response

Physical symptoms may present as:

Difficulty breathing
Muscle aches and joint pain
Impaired immune function
Increased heart rate
Worsening of medical issues

Secondary Traumatic Stress can have a profound negative impact on both an individual’s personal and professional life. For instance, earlier research included in a 2024 systematic review indicated that STS could elevate the risk of cardiovascular diseases and mental health disorders.

Treatment of Secondary Traumatic Stress

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is one of the most well-established interventions for trauma-related conditions. It assists people in identifying and reframing harmful thought patterns, controlling upsetting emotions, and creating more constructive coping strategies. When adapted for STS, CBT can assist professionals in addressing feelings of helplessness, guilt, or emotional exhaustion by teaching them to challenge irrational beliefs and implement practical strategies to manage stress.
Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a structured therapeutic approach that involves guided eye movements or other bilateral stimulation while recalling distressing memories. This technique facilitates the processing and integration of traumatic material, reducing its emotional impact. For those suffering from STS, EMDR provides a way to work through absorbed trauma without the need for detailed verbal recounting, which can be particularly helpful for individuals who struggle to articulate their secondary trauma experiences.
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) is another effective intervention that incorporates mindfulness meditation, body awareness, and yoga to help individuals stay grounded in the present moment. Frequent mindfulness training helps people become more resilient by enabling them to handle stress in a more composed and deliberate manner.
Narrative Exposure Therapy (NET) involves guiding individuals through the process of constructing a detailed chronological narrative of their life, integrating traumatic experiences into this broader story. This approach enables individuals to frame their trauma within a context and regain a sense of personal agency and identity. For those exposed to repeated or chronic trauma indirectly, such as humanitarian workers or therapists, NET helps make sense of accumulated stress and affirms the meaning of their professional roles.
Peer Support and Group Therapy are vital resources for those experiencing STS. Peer support offers a shared space where individuals can talk openly with others who understand the unique pressures of their work. Group therapy, whether professionally facilitated or peer-led, normalises experiences, reduces isolation, and fosters mutual validation and encouragement. These settings can serve as powerful platforms for emotional healing and collective resilience-building.
Psychoeducation plays a crucial preventive and therapeutic role by providing individuals with essential knowledge about trauma, its psychological effects, and healthy coping strategies. When applied to STS, psychoeducation helps reduce stigma, normalise reactions, and empower individuals to seek help proactively. It also promotes the development of trauma-informed environments where early signs of distress can be identified and addressed effectively.
Lastly, medication can be a helpful component of treatment, particularly when symptoms are severe or interfere significantly with daily functioning. In cases of STS, medication may be used temporarily or alongside therapy to manage symptoms such as insomnia, intrusive thoughts, or emotional dysregulation, under the supervision of a qualified healthcare provider.

Together, these strategies form a comprehensive toolkit for treating both PTSD and STS, emphasising the importance of personalised, multi-modal care approaches tailored to individual needs and professional contexts.

Conclusion

Secondary Traumatic Stress is a very real and often overlooked consequence of working closely with individuals who have experienced trauma. Whether you’re in healthcare, education, social services, or journalism, the emotional toll of bearing witness to others' pain can manifest in powerful and debilitating ways. Identifying the signs of Secondary Traumatic Stress (STS) is essential to stop it from gradually damaging your mental and physical well-being. With the right knowledge, support systems, and coping strategies, it is possible to heal, build resilience, and continue doing meaningful work without sacrificing your health in the process.

Contributed By: Dr. (Prof.) R. K. Suri, Clinical Psychologist and Life Coach, &. Ms. Garima Tiwari, Counselling Psychologist.

References

Morales-Brown, L. (2024, July 19). What to know about secondary traumatic stress. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/secondary-traumatic-stress#treatment
Markovi?, M. V., & Živanovi?, M. (2022). Coping with Secondary Traumatic Stress. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(19), 12881. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph191912881
Kar, N. (2011). Cognitive behavioral therapy for the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder: A review. Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment, 7, 167–181. https://doi.org/10.2147/NDT.S10389
Wikipedia contributors. (2025b, June 9). Secondary trauma. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Secondary_trauma
Vereecken, S., & Corso, G. (2024). Revisiting eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing therapy for post-traumatic stress disorder: A systematic review and discussion of the American Psychological Association’s 2017 recommendations. Cureus, 16(4), e58767. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.58767
Kang, S. S., Sponheim, S. R., & Lim, K. O. (2020). Interoception underlies the therapeutic effects of mindfulness meditation for post-traumatic stress disorder: A randomized clinical trial. arXiv. https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2010.06078
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