What is secondary trauma?

• A. A form of trauma experienced by first responders only.
• B. A temporary emotional fatigue.
• C. It occurs when a person is exposed to the trauma of others and develops physical or mental impacts.
• D. A personal accident trauma.

Answer: (C)

Secondary trauma, also called secondary traumatic stress, is the emotional, physical, and cognitive toll that comes from being exposed to others’ traumatic experiences and absorbing some of that distress. It can show up as sleep problems, intrusive memories, mood swings, irritability, hypervigilance, or difficulty functioning at work or home. It isn’t limited to first responders; anyone who works with people who have experienced trauma can be affected. It’s more than temporary fatigue or a personal accident trauma. Understanding this helps you recognize early signs and seek support, such as supervision, peer debriefing, healthy boundaries, and access to mental health resources.