Vicarious Trauma & Social Media

With the recent assassination and outpouring support of rapper and activist Nipsey Hussle all over social media, this week has been a drain.

Quick Reflection

It is obvious I didn't know Nipsey personally. But the humanity in me doesn't need to know him to feel empathy. I have genuine love for all of my people. When I see him, I see myself, I see my brothers, my father. Nipsey understood, until the conditions of our people change, true transformation for our people can never fully be attained. He first changed himself and then made the effort to selflessly change his community. For someone like him to be killed in such a cowardice, heartless and senseless way, it hurts. Many celebrities have posted personal testimonies about Nipsey. Below is one from singer Lloyd that touched me the most.

Social media can be full of opportunity and information but can also be toxic in many ways. Seeing posts about how Nipsey died on social media and his last moments on Earth is disrespectful, triggering and traumatizing. Further proof that trauma can to be passed indirectly through social media. We are being overexposed to violent acts online. Which can have long term effects on our mental health.

What is Vicarious Trauma?

Vicarious trauma, also known as secondary trauma, can be described as indirect exposure to a traumatic event through first-hand account or narrative of the event. Vicarious trauma is usually mentioned in the helping professions of those who work as therapists, counselors, social workers, paramedics, doctors etc. 

Signs & Symptoms of Vicarious Trauma

Vicarious trauma can cause spikes in anxiety, depression and emotional responses. These symptoms can present behaviorally, emotionally physically and/or psychologically. Here are some of the signs you've been affected:

• obsessive thinking and preoccupation with social media

• insomnia

• desensitization

• feelings of hopelessness

• increase in substance or alcohol use

• isolation

• difficulty with memory or trouble staying focused

• headaches

• feel numb to emotion

• struggling to find meaning in life or work

• unexplained rashes

• disassociation

• Intrusive thoughts or finding it hard not to think of the trauma you've been exposed too

• trouble with managing emotions

Practical Ways to Cope

1. Shut it down. Log out. Limit your time. Sometimes taking a break from social media is necessary. 

2. Stay connected to family and close friends. Hopefully you have someone to talk to about your feelings.

3. Use/Create a resource. By resource I mean something tangible that brings you joy or relaxes you (a rubbing stone, photo of a loved one etc) to use during stressful times. 

4. Be still. Practice meditation or grounding your thoughts.

5. Find activities that promote growth. Learn a new skill or hobby.

6. Self Care. Actually DO something healthy that makes you feel happy or pours into your livelihood.

7. Give back. Positive Psychology shows that people who give back are happier. Volunteer at a local shelter, give to a food bank or chip in at a community event etc.

8. Seek support from a therapist. There's never a time when talking to a professional isn't a good idea.

Take care of yourselves.

Resources

https://www.counseling.org/docs/trauma-disaster/fact-sheet-9---vicarious-trauma.pdf

https://headington-institute.org/files/vtmoduletemplate2_ready_v2_85791.pdf

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3505377/

Photo:https://sizingupthesouth.com/2019/02/27/detecting-vicarious-trauma-can-be-much-later-after-working-in-traumatic-events/