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.