Managing Vicarious Trauma in the Age of Social Media

Social media and our access to violent imagery can in and of itself be traumatic, and it can be difficult to learn how to support causes whilst maintaining resilience and protecting ourselves. Vicarious trauma refers to the second-hand negative emotions an individual experiences after being exposed to another person’s trauma or graphic images and content. Repeated exposure to distressing images and news can be deeply detrimental to an individual’s mental health. It is common to experience feelings which mirror the survivor of the trauma as well as anxiety and overwhelm. In today’s age of social media, where there is an emphasis on covering negative events happening in society, it is imperative to learn how to remain resilient and protect oneself from excessive consumption and overwhelm.

It can be extremely difficult to cope and remain resilient in the face of vicarious trauma, especially with social media being so present in everyday life. Social support has been shown to be vital in coping and learning to become resilient. Through social support, an individual can gain new perspectives, achieve new insights, and ultimately experience posttraumatic growth. Furthermore, social support has been shown to enhance one’s ability to process the traumatic event itself. With the support of others, an individual can feel less alone and, in turn, feel more confident in their ability to cope with the vicarious trauma. Overall, social support encourages resilience due to the comfort of knowing people are standing beside and aiding the individual. Another way to protect oneself and stay resilient is to develop a strong coping style and to change one’s mindset about life. Constantly viewing negative and violent images or news on social media can cause one to view life with a pessimistic outlook. By adopting the mindset that one is in control of their own life and that change is a normal part of life, resilience has been shown to be built. Additionally, recognizing that each individual has their own unique purpose in life and can fulfill their own destiny helps protect oneself from vicarious trauma. A simple way to start changing one’s mindset is to set daily affirmations and remind oneself every day of how strong they are.

While there are many positive coping strategies for facing vicarious trauma, there are also some coping strategies that negatively affect one’s ability to cope and be resilient. One harmful coping strategy is avoidance. Avoidance aims to ignore or avoid the problem and its emotional consequences. By avoiding one’s feelings and neglecting to face the reality of the vicarious trauma, the emotional turmoil can grow exponentially. Although it can be extremely. uncomfortable and sometimes scary, it’s best to face the consequences of the vicarious trauma directly instead of letting it fester inside oneself.

In conclusion, vicarious trauma can be detrimental to one’s mental health and can be extremely challenging to work through. It is crucial to understand the importance of resilience and self-protection in the face of such trauma, especially in today’s world of social media. Building a supportive social network and developing effective coping strategies are essential steps in mitigating the impact of vicarious trauma. By nurturing a positive mindset, seeking social support, and avoiding harmful coping mechanisms, individuals can enhance their resilience and maintain their mental well-being. In a world dominated by social media, it is imperative to consciously manage one’s exposure to negative content and prioritize mental health, ensuring that one can continue to support important causes without compromising one’s own emotional stability. If you're struggling with vicarious trauma, it is important to know that you are not alone.