Secondary Trauma: Understanding a Hurricane's Hidden Impact

Hurricanes cause Southwest Florida to recover in more ways than one. The physical devastation wrought by storms includes deadly flooding and widespread power outages. A hurricane's direct victims deserve as much empathy and support as our community can provide.

However, for survivors of past deadly hurricanes, storms leave many of us silently bearing the weight of past tragedies. Lee Health clinical psychologist Rose Illes, PhD, sheds light on the often-overlooked phenomenon of secondary trauma and strategies for coping.

What is secondary trauma?

Secondary trauma, also known as vicarious trauma, occurs when individuals are indirectly exposed to traumatic events through listening to or observing the experiences of others. 

"When you hear those stories repeatedly, something like secondary trauma may occur, meaning you may not have experienced it, but you’re exposed to it. Hearing or seeing it may start to affect you,” Dr. Illes explains. “With natural disasters like (hurricanes), you’re being retriggered because you did experience a hurricane like it before. You may not have been directly affected this time, but you’re still emotionally vulnerable.” 

This type of trauma is particularly prevalent among first responders, healthcare workers, and mental health professionals who regularly interact with trauma survivors. The chronic stress of being exposed to others' trauma can lead to symptoms like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

But even if you’re not a professional helper, you can still develop symptoms of secondary trauma, Dr. Illes says.

“You might feel tired or stressed out and sad because of what’s going on in your community. Or you might start feeling guilty because your neighbor is doing worse, and you’re not, so you’re not sure how to deal with that,” she says. “Feeling irritable and feeling like you can’t sleep well, or you want to sleep too much, or you’re having difficulty concentrating, all those responses are normal because what happened was an abnormal event.”

Signs and symptoms

Secondary trauma can often mirror the symptoms of direct trauma exposure. Dr. Illes highlights some common reactions:

• Emotional exhaustion and irritability
• Difficulty sleeping or oversleeping
• Concentration problems
• Feelings of sadness, anger, and guilt
• Physical symptoms like headaches, stomach aches, and skin irritations

In more severe cases, individuals may experience:

• Nightmares and intrusive thoughts related to the traumatic stories they've heard
• Hypervigilance and avoidance behaviors
• Increased substance use as a coping mechanism
• Feelings of apathy or depression
• Strained relationships, both personal and professional

The unique challenge for community helpers

Dr. Illes points out a crucial factor that can worsen trauma for many helpers, whether you’re a first responder or a neighbor: community involvement. 

“If you live in a community impacted by the event, this can affect your response to the event, too. It can make it harder emotionally for you," she explains. “Helping your community to recover may lead to symptoms such as stress reactions, sadness, guilt, and exhaustion.”

This dual role of community member and helper can intensify the emotional impact, making it even more challenging to maintain emotional boundaries and practice self-care.

Coping strategies

While secondary trauma can be intense, there are strategies to reduce its effects. Coping with a disaster like a hurricane isn’t much different than coping with life stressors, Dr. Illes notes. 

“The difference is how intense your emotions are. You may need to practice different self-care strategies or be more intentional about taking care of yourself.”

Dr. Illes shares these tips:

• Self-care is crucial. Dr. Illes emphasizes the importance of taking care of oneself. "What is your self-care? What makes you feel good? Eating right, sleeping right, and some exercise, even if it's not physical. What hobbies bring you joy? What helps calm you?"
• Create separation rituals: For those working in traumatic environments, Dr. Illes suggests creating a ritual to separate work from personal life. "Before I actually walk into the door of my house or my family, stop and try to reset, take a break. Do something very specific, like a little bit of a ritual, to separate. Okay, that's there; now I can leave that and go into my safe place."
• Seek support. "If you're having a hard time coping, then have an honest conversation with yourself and consider asking for help," Dr. Illes advises. “This could involve talking to colleagues, supervisors, or mental health professionals.”
• Set boundaries. Dr. Illes says try to limit exposure to traumatic content when possible and learn to say no when you're feeling overwhelmed.
• Practice mindfulness. Being aware of your reactions and emotions can help you recognize when you need to step back and take care of yourself.
• Educate yourself. Understanding secondary trauma and its impact can empower you to recognize and address it effectively.
• Practice self-awareness. “Acknowledge what you are feeling and how it’s affecting you,” Dr. Illes says.

The importance of acknowledgment

One of the most crucial steps in dealing with secondary trauma is acknowledging its existence. 

Acknowledging and addressing secondary trauma isn't a sign of weakness—it's an essential part of maintaining the well-being of anyone experiencing secondary trauma, Dr. Illes notes. 

By recognizing that secondary trauma is a real and valid experience, survivors and helpers can feel more comfortable seeking the support they need. 

“Whether you’ve lost a lot or you’re upset about the community, you want to give yourself one moment at a time. Take a deep breath when you feel yourself becoming overwhelmed. Prioritize healthy eating and proper sleep and rest, too,” she advises. 

"Reaching out is normal because, again, what you have survived is not a normal situation,” she says. 

If you're a helper experiencing symptoms of secondary trauma, don't hesitate to ask for support. Your mental health is just as important as the invaluable work you do for others.”

How are you doing?

If the answer to that question is "not so good," please ask for help.

• 988 – The Suicide Lifeline
• Lee Health Addiction Medicine Clinic – 239-343-9190

The U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration operates a free 24/7 crisis counseling helpline for people involved in disasters, including hurricanes and tropical storms.

• Call or text 1-800-985-5990. Spanish speakers can press 2 for help in that language. Third-party interpretation services are available in more than 100 other languages.
• Español: Llama o envía un mensaje de texto 1–800–985–5990 presiona “2.”
• For Deaf and Hard of Hearing ASL Callers: To connect directly to an agent in American Sign Language, click the "ASL Now" button below or call 1-800-985-5990 from your videophone. ASL Support is available 24/7.

If you think you may be experiencing symptoms of PTSD, the Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Alliance is an alliance of professional and advocacy organizations that provide educational resources to individuals diagnosed with PTSD and their loved ones; those at risk for developing PTSD; and medical, healthcare, and other professionals. 

Visit www.ptsdalliance.org or call 1-877-507-PTSD.

If you are having thoughts of suicide, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 (TALK).