Morning Soulshine with Bridget & Dr. Albert Higgins Certified Licensed Behavioral Therapist

Dr. Higgins discuss THS Trauma Helper Syndrome he behavioral condition called when a person is attracted to trauma and helping people with trauma is trauma helper syndrome (THS). It is a term used to describe a set of symptoms that can develop in people who work with traumatized populations. THS was first identified by leading trauma psychologist Dr. Laurie Pearlman in the 1990s. THS is not a formal diagnosis, but it is a well-recognized condition. It is characterized by a number of symptoms, including: ● Compassion fatigue: A feeling of emotional exhaustion and burnout. ● Secondary traumatic stress: The development of PTSD-like symptoms after being exposed to the trauma of others. ● Empathy fatigue: A reduction in the ability to empathize with others. ● Vicarious traumatization: The experience of trauma indirectly, through the stories and experiences of others. ● Burnout: A state of physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion caused by prolonged or excessive stress. People with THS may also experience symptoms such as: ● Difficulty sleeping ● Nightmares ● Flashbacks ● Irritability ● Anxiety ● Depression ● Isolation ● Substance abuse THS can have a significant impact on a person's personal and professional life.