Exploring the origins and impact of vicarious trauma on frontline workers like therapists and first responders, from its roots in military contexts to the influence of social media on its prevalence. The chapter delves into how witnessing traumatic events and exposure to distressing media can lead to PTSD-like symptoms in individuals.
For 8 months, images and videos of the carnage in Gaza have been flooding social media. They give a powerful view of what's happening to Palestinians on the ground – but they also have the potential to cause vicarious trauma.
Today – what is vicarious trauma, and why doomscrolling doesn't help.