Chaplain Lynne writes:
Vicarious Trauma and PTS
He sat up abruptly, gasping for breath, sweat covered, shaking sleep from his body and the nightmare from his mind. Falling back into his pillow, he tried to calm the rapid beating of his heart and the shaking of his hands. The visions of the scene replayed in brief spurts across his mind, as he tried to slow his breathing with deliberate and slow, in-and-outs. In …1,2,3,4,… hold …. 2,3,4 … out … 2,3,4,5,6,7,8 … over again, and then once more. Silently, angrily… he thought, “man, things are getting out of control.”
Sighing deeply, he prayed without realizing it was even a prayer, “This is not okay. I can’t do this anymore. Lord help me.” The alarm shattered the quietness, and he groaned as he swung his legs over the edge of the bed. Shaking off the demons of the trauma playing in his mind, he rose and warily began the new day.
Walking into the bay, the rumble of voices greeted him enthusiastically. He ducked his head, raised a hand in acknowledgment, and entered the office. Moving through the hall he heard footsteps behind him and glancing back he groaned inwardly. Forcing a smile he didn’t feel inside, he greeted the man approaching, “Hey, Chappy, what’s up?”
The chaplain reached out, grasped his shoulder in a friendly gesture and smiled quietly back. “How ya’ holding up, man? Thought we could have a cup of coffee together.”
Looking into the chaplain’s sincere face, the eyes that remained steady and calm as they met his, he felt the weariness overcome him. Fighting the urge to walk away, he took a steadying breath and bravely, just shook his head in agreement.
All it took was a step of faith on each side, to begin the interaction that could change the direction of the ever-building stress reaction within this man.
The Faith of a chaplain enables him to use his assessment skills to see avoidance in a person’s reaction, knowing the scenes he has been through. Faith to take steps to follow him unbidden for an opportunity to interact, and then ask a simple question, with a strong compassionate hand and voice. Presence has an impact.
The Faith of a hurting man to dig deep, ignore the selfish desire to sweep it all away and not face the signs he was noticing… and instead accept the hand offered in grace. Presence changes things.
The Faith of an all-knowing God, as He used an alert Chaplain to answer a somewhat irreverent, pain-filled prayer. An ever-present presence is our God.
Vicarious trauma is real and knowing the signs and the changes that happen is important for both the chaplain and the person in service to others:
Recurring dreams / flashbacks
Changes in sleep patterns / energy patterns / eating patterns
Changes in social interactions / engagement style / isolation / avoidance
Changes in demeanor / attitude / stimulation seeking or avoidant
Changes in reactions including emotional outbursts / anger / lethargy / hopelessness
Know that hearing their story can impact you as well. Keep your self-care plan active!
Blessings, Chaplain Lynne
(please click here to go to comments to add prayer request)
Considerations
Shield Approach Chaplaincy Application
Choose to Remember your Purpose – including during ongoing engagements before a crisis … avoiding distractions as you develop relationships with those you interact with regularly . Build trust, integrity and relationship, with the ability to recognize signs that something is different.
Carry your Presence – at all times. Not a “saint”… but a human who is at peace, with hope
Character is Peace – Knowing your faith foundation, is deeply developing peace as who you are
Clothe yourself in Compassion – love in action, is deliberate, persistent, yet without rudeness in the face of resistance, and meets needs
Comfortable with Silence- walking with others means being able to carry silence comfortably
S.H.I.E.L.D. Approach
SAFE – Make them feel safe- in this case knowing them beforehand and building relationships, allow them to see you are trust-worthy and with integrity and are caring
HEAR – Find an opportunity to start the conversation – hear their thoughts – don’t be afraid to ask the hard questions if needed, but hear beyond what the voice says
INFORM – provide information, encouragement, resource opportunities and normalization
EDUCATE – basic crisis processes, body responses, tools for addressing crisis responses
LEAD – lead them to next steps, engage them around their desired outcomes
DECISION – Identify if need for higher level of care, don’t leave alone if suicidal, and don’t be the only one supporting , but do be a reliable support
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