Social Snippet & GBP Excerpt: Secondary traumatic stress can affect adults who regularly support people through painful or traumatic experiences. Lightfully Behavioral Health offers whole-person-centered treatment when trauma-related symptoms, anxiety or emotional distress begin affecting daily life. Click the “Learn more” link to explore six signs of secondary traumatic stress and healthy ways to respond.

Dr. Nicole Siegfried is a licensed clinical psychologist with more than 20 years of experience in behavioral health and serves as Chief Clinical Officer at Lightfully Behavioral Health. Her work centers on compassionate, evidence-based mental health treatment that recognizes each client as a whole person, not simply a diagnosis.

By Dr. Nicole Siegfried, PhD, CEDS

Hearing about another person’s trauma or repeatedly encountering traumatic details through professional or caregiving responsibilities can affect you, too. Secondary traumatic stress is the emotional strain that can develop from this indirect exposure. It is especially important to recognize for therapists, health care workers, first responders, educators, advocates, caregivers and others who regularly support people through trauma.

Secondary traumatic stress can affect how you feel, think and function, even when the trauma happened to someone else.

Lightfully Behavioral Health provides adult treatment for trauma-related conditions such as PTSD when symptoms are affecting daily life.

Q: What is secondary traumatic stress?

Secondary traumatic stress can develop when you hear about or are exposed to another person’s trauma. The National Child Traumatic Stress Network describes it as emotional distress that comes from hearing about another person’s firsthand traumatic experience.

It is not currently listed as its own diagnosis in the DSM-5-TR. A clinician may need to look at your full symptoms and history to determine whether PTSD, anxiety, depression or another mental health condition is also present.

Q: Is secondary traumatic stress the same as PTSD or burnout?

No. The terms can overlap, but they do not mean the same thing.

Secondary traumatic stress comes from indirect exposure to trauma. Its symptoms can look similar to PTSD symptoms, including intrusive thoughts, avoidance and feeling constantly alert. PTSD is a diagnosable condition that requires a clinical assessment.

Burnout is more closely tied to ongoing work stress, exhaustion and feeling less effective. SAMHSA describes compassion fatigue as involving both burnout and secondary traumatic stress.

Q: What are 6 signs of secondary traumatic stress?

People respond differently. One sign alone does not mean you have secondary traumatic stress. Look for changes that persist, feel unusual for you or start affecting daily life.

1. Trauma-related thoughts keep entering your mind

You may find yourself thinking about another person’s traumatic experience long after the conversation or event has ended.

Disturbing images may come to mind without warning. Some people may also have upsetting dreams connected with the trauma they heard about. Intrusive images and dreams are recognized secondary traumatic stress symptoms.

2. You start avoiding reminders

You might avoid certain conversations, people, places or tasks because they remind you of traumatic stories.

Avoidance can also look like trying not to think or feel anything connected with the experience. SAMHSA lists avoidance as one possible secondary traumatic stress response.

3. You feel more tense or on guard

Your body may feel like it cannot fully settle after work or caregiving.

You might feel jumpy, scan your surroundings more often or have trouble relaxing. Persistent arousal and hypervigilance can occur with secondary traumatic stress.

4. Sleep and concentration become harder

Stress can follow you into the evening. You may struggle to fall asleep, wake often or feel tired even after resting.

You may also notice that focusing on work, reading or conversations takes more effort. NCTSN resources include sleeplessness and chronic exhaustion among possible secondary traumatic stress concerns.

5. Your emotions begin to shift

You may feel more irritable, angry, guilty, hopeless or emotionally numb.

These changes can be easy to dismiss as having a bad week. Pay attention if they continue or begin changing how you respond to clients, coworkers or loved ones.

6. You withdraw or stop caring for yourself

You might pull away from other people after spending much of your time supporting them. Activities you usually enjoy may feel less appealing.

Self-care may also begin slipping. NCTSN resources describe social withdrawal, disconnection and reduced self-care among possible effects of secondary traumatic stress.

Q: What are healthy ways to respond?

Start by noticing the changes without judging yourself for them. Secondary traumatic stress is a known risk in jobs that involve repeated exposure to other people’s trauma.

Helpful steps may include:

• Use supervision or peer support — Talk through difficult cases or experiences within appropriate privacy boundaries.
• Protect your limits — Notice when you are taking on extra emotional or work demands without enough recovery time.
• Create transition time — Give yourself a routine that helps separate work or caregiving from the rest of your day.
• Return to basic needs — Sleep, meals, movement and meaningful connection can be harder to protect during stressful periods.
• Reduce avoidable trauma exposure — You do not need to keep reading, watching or discussing traumatic material when it is not required.
• Ask for professional support — A licensed clinician can help if symptoms are lasting, worsening or affecting your daily life.

Organizations also have a role. Trauma-informed supervision, reasonable support and access to mental health resources can help workers who face indirect trauma as part of their jobs.

Q: When is it time to talk with a mental health professional?

Consider reaching out when symptoms are not improving or they begin affecting sleep, relationships, work or your ability to feel present in daily life.

A clinician can help sort through what you are experiencing. This matters because secondary traumatic stress can overlap with PTSD, anxiety, depression and burnout.

Q: How can Lightfully support adults when stress is affecting daily life?

Lightfully uses our Precision Care Model to look at thoughts, emotions, behaviors and relationships connected with a person’s symptoms. Treatment is personalized to each client rather than based on one standard approach.

Lightfully treats Adult mental health conditions including PTSD, anxiety disorders and depression. Secondary traumatic stress itself is not listed as a separate condition Lightfully treats. A clinical assessment can help clarify whether your symptoms fit a condition within Lightfully’s scope.

Depending on your needs, Lightfully offers Residential Treatment, Partial Hospitalization Program, also called our Day Treatment Program, Intensive Outpatient Program and Virtual Services.

You do not have to decide on the right level of care by yourself. Start your journey toward personalized mental health treatment today. Let our Admissions Concierge Team guide you every step of the way.

Frequently asked questions

Is secondary traumatic stress the same as PTSD?

No. Secondary traumatic stress describes trauma-related distress linked with indirect exposure to another person’s trauma. PTSD is a mental health diagnosis with specific clinical criteria.

Is secondary traumatic stress the same as burnout?

No. Burnout is usually related to ongoing work stress and exhaustion. Secondary traumatic stress involves trauma-related symptoms after indirect exposure to other people’s traumatic experiences.

Who may experience secondary traumatic stress?

It can affect people who regularly hear about or witness the effects of trauma. Examples may include mental health professionals, health care workers, first responders, educators, advocates and caregivers.

Can secondary traumatic stress happen after one difficult experience?

It can. Some people may notice distress after a particular exposure, while others develop symptoms after repeated contact with traumatic material. Your response can depend on many personal and work-related factors.

What should I do if I notice signs of secondary traumatic stress?

Pay attention to how symptoms are affecting sleep, mood, relationships, work and daily life. Support from trusted people, supervision, healthy boundaries and a licensed mental health professional may help.

How do I know if I need treatment for PTSD?

You may benefit from treatment if trauma reminders, hypervigilance, avoidance, nightmares and changes in mood or connection are making it hard to feel like yourself or move through your day. Lightfully looks beyond a diagnosis to understand the thoughts, emotions, behaviors and relationships that may be keeping symptoms going.

What does PTSD treatment usually focus on?

Treatment for PTSD typically centers on evidence-based trauma-focused therapy to help you process traumatic experiences, reduce symptoms and build healthier coping skills. For some people, medication may also be part of treatment to help manage PTSD symptoms or related concerns like anxiety, depression or sleep disturbances. At Lightfully, your treatment plan is personalized through our Precision Care Model so care can meet your unique needs.

Can PTSD get better with the right support?

Yes, meaningful change is possible with consistent, evidence-based care. The goal is not to define you by PTSD, but to help you build skills, insight and steadier support for daily life.

What level of care might help with PTSD?

The right level of care depends on your symptoms, safety needs, schedule and how much support you need right now. Lightfully offers multiple levels of care for adults, including Residential Treatment, Partial Hospitalization Program, Intensive Outpatient Program and Virtual Services.

How can Lightfully help with PTSD?

Lightfully provides whole-person-centered care that can support relationships, sleep, work and sense of safety. Your clinicians work with you to create an individualized plan that helps you move toward the fullest, brightest version of yourself.