Calling all of the therapists, nurses, people in the support, healing field....

Shall we look at some of the words that have been attached to the idea of Secondary PTSD.  People who work with traumatized people have a greater chance of exhibiting the same symptoms of PTSD as their clients.  This is found in people that are more empathetic or they have unresolved personal trauma.  The symptoms increase with people who work with children up to 50%.  With the traumatized  general population it is 6 to 26 percent.  This is work related occupational stress.
So let us look at some of the handles or names that have been attached to this syndrome. 
Secondary PTSD symptoms can include just one exposure to traumatic material.
Compassion Fatigue is a less stigmatizing way of saying secondary PTSD.  Why isn't this an accepted response to being exposed to trauma?
Vicarious Trauma is defined as emotional exhaustion and depersonalization.  We tend to dissociate and eat, drink, watch T.V. etc.  This term is related more to cognitive changes that occur with being exposed to trauma and empathetic engagement.  The idea of trauma to the helper is less empathized here. 
Burn-out is again connected to emotional exhaustion and a feeling of lower personal accomplishment.
Compassion satisfaction is related to positive feelings of being competent in a crisis situation.  The person feels like they have made a meaningful contribution and can relate to colleagues.

LENS neurofeedback can give you back the balance and understanding needed to work with traumatized individuals.