36 Questions
What concept overlaps with vicarious trauma?
Secondary traumatic stress and compassion fatigue
What is a common way that vicarious trauma can be indirectly experienced?
Exposure to the stories of trauma experienced by clients
What percentage of AOD workers in Australia met the criteria for secondary traumatic stress in a study?
19.9%
What increases a person's risk of experiencing vicarious trauma?
A range of variables
How can AOD services prevent and manage the risk of vicarious trauma in workers?
By engaging in strategies to prevent and manage the risk
What is a common misconception about being affected by vicarious trauma?
It is a result of personal weakness
What is a common way that people may engage in avoidance coping mechanisms?
Excessive phone use
What is a long-term consequence of using avoidance coping mechanisms?
Worsening of emotional state
What is a key focus of Trauma-Informed Care (TIC)?
Understanding the impact of trauma on the individual
What is a key principle of Trauma-Informed Care (TIC)?
Trustworthiness, choice, empowerment, collaboration, and safety
What is a consequence of using alcohol and drugs as a coping mechanism?
Increased tolerance and associated life problems
What is a characteristic of Trauma-Informed Care (TIC)?
Strengths-based and compassionate
What is the common issue in AOD services regarding PTSD?
The underlying cause may never be addressed
What is the key aspect of the interdependent relationship between trauma and AOD disorders?
Both conditions should be treated concurrently
What is a common barrier to accurate identification and treatment of trauma-related difficulties in AOD services?
Majority of AOD services do not systematically screen for exposure to trauma or PTSD symptoms
What is the primary function of substances in the self-medication hypothesis?
To reduce unpleasant symptoms
What is a common experience for the majority of people in the general population?
Experiencing at least one traumatic event in their lifetime
What is the consequence of inadequate treatment of trauma in AOD services?
Trauma continues to maintain their substance use
What is the high-risk hypothesis related to?
The lifestyle associated with AOD use increasing the risk of experiencing trauma
What is a characteristic of negative alterations in thinking and mood after a traumatic event?
Having strong emotions such as anger or fear
What is a symptom of alterations in arousal and reactivity after a traumatic event?
Hypervigilance
What is a common reason why AOD service workers may not ask about trauma?
They are reluctant to ask about trauma
What is the outcome of the relationship between trauma and AOD use according to the self-medication hypothesis?
PTSD symptoms are maintained, and substance use is reinforced
What is a characteristic of Complex PTSD?
Meeting all diagnostic requirements for PTSD
What is a common experience for people who belong to a cultural group that has faced disempowerment, poverty, and discrimination?
Being more likely to experience traumatic events
What is a difficulty that people with Complex PTSD may experience?
Forming close relationships with others
What is a consequence of growing up in conditions of chronic stress and adversity?
Finding it more difficult to cope with traumatic events in adulthood
What is a feeling that people with Complex PTSD may experience?
Shame, guilt, or failure related to the traumatic events
What is a key element in the therapeutic relationship to help clients who have experienced trauma?
Emphasizing their strengths and coping mechanisms
Why is it important to display acceptance in the therapeutic relationship?
Because shame is ubiquitous in clients and acceptance can be validating
What is a potential strategy a client may have developed to adapt to unmet needs in childhood?
Escalating distress or anger to get a response
What is the benefit of understanding a client's maladaptive behaviours in the therapeutic relationship?
It can help clinicians maintain a sensitive and empathic relationship
What is vicarious trauma?
A negative change in professionals working with trauma-affected clients
Why is showing compassion in the therapeutic relationship important?
To show interest, kindness, and care for clients' suffering
What is a potential consequence of not recognizing maladaptive behaviours in clients?
Clinicians may respond with judgment and criticism
Why is it important for clinicians to be non-judgmental in the therapeutic relationship?
Because clients can be quick to perceive judgement and are often highly self-critical
Study Notes
Vicarious Trauma
- Overlaps with concepts of burnout, secondary traumatic stress, and compassion fatigue
- Involves a more enduring stress response mirroring the effects of trauma
- Can be indirectly experienced through exposure to clients' stories of trauma and cumulative stress associated with working with trauma-affected clients
Vulnerability to Vicarious Trauma
- A range of variables can increase a person's risk of experiencing VT
- Not a result of personal weakness, but a risk faced by anyone exposed to severe or cumulative trauma associated with their work
AOD Services and Trauma
- AOD services see PTSD as a mental health problem
- Clients may bounce back and forth between services, and the underlying cause may never be addressed
- Interdependent relationship between trauma and AOD disorders means both should be treated concurrently
Barriers to Accurate Identification and Treatment of Trauma
- Majority of AOD services do not systematically screen for exposure to trauma or PTSD symptoms
- Reluctance amongst AOD service workers to ask about trauma
- Clients may not disclose trauma, leading to inadequate treatment and poor outcomes
Relationship between Trauma and AOD Use
- Self-medication hypothesis: AOD can give relief from unpleasant trauma-related thoughts and feelings, but perpetuates and exacerbates high levels of arousal
- High-risk hypothesis: Lifestyle associated with AOD use increases the person's risk of experiencing trauma
Responses to Trauma
- Negative alterations in thinking and mood, such as problems with memory, negative thoughts, and strong emotions
- Alterations in arousal and reactivity, such as hyperarousal, hypervigilance, irritability, and poor concentration
Complex Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (CPTSD)
- People who have experienced complex trauma are at risk of developing CPTSD
- Characterized by severe and persistent problems in emotion regulation, beliefs about oneself, and difficulties in sustaining relationships
Vulnerable Populations and Cultural Differences
- People who belong to a cultural group that has faced disempowerment, poverty, and discrimination are more likely to experience traumatic events
- Growing up in conditions of chronic stress and adversity can make it more difficult to cope with traumatic events
Coping Mechanisms
- Avoidance behaviors, such as reassurance seeking, distraction, and suppression
- Maladaptive behaviors, such as substance abuse, gambling, and self-isolation
- Avoidance does not work, as it reinforces fear and intolerable emotions, leading to more unpleasant side effects
Trauma-Informed Care (TIC)
- Focuses on trustworthiness, choice, empowerment, collaboration, and safety
- Emphasizes understanding trauma impact and meeting the needs of trauma survivors
- Shifts from "what is wrong with you?" to "what happened to you?" and "how did you cope?"
- Strengths-based, non-judgmental, and compassionate approaches are integral to TIC
Trauma Focused Treatment for Concurrent PTSD and AOD Disorders
- Trauma-focused treatment is necessary for concurrent PTSD and AOD disorders
This quiz assesses understanding of vicarious trauma, a concept that overlaps with burnout, secondary traumatic stress, and compassion fatigue, and its effects on mental health professionals.
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