Beneath the Surface: An Exploration of Neurobiological Alterations in Therapists Working With Trauma

Neuro-reciprocity and vicarious trauma in psychiatrists

“…Mirror neurons may be crucial to understanding how processing others' experiences in a clinical setting can result in replication of trauma in psychiatrists through VT. People who are more empathic have greater activation of the mirror neuron system. 14 Whether wittingly or not, the 'good' psychiatrist becomes wired to their patients through empathic resonance, identifying and feeling their anxiety, distress and sadness, and subsequently becomes more susceptible to VT. 15 Dissociative responses to trauma, mediated by the parasympathetic nervous system, may underlie the professional detachment and depersonalization that can occur in VT and burnout. 15 Over-activation of the sympathetic nervous system in response to traumatic material, in conjunction with the parasympathetic nervous system's attempts to regulate it, can result in contradictory and fatiguing processes.…”

“…14 Whether wittingly or not, the 'good' psychiatrist becomes wired to their patients through empathic resonance, identifying and feeling their anxiety, distress and sadness, and subsequently becomes more susceptible to VT. 15 Dissociative responses to trauma, mediated by the parasympathetic nervous system, may underlie the professional detachment and depersonalization that can occur in VT and burnout. 15 Over-activation of the sympathetic nervous system in response to traumatic material, in conjunction with the parasympathetic nervous system's attempts to regulate it, can result in contradictory and fatiguing processes. 13,15 In response to exposure to the trauma of another, several automatic neuro-reciprocal processes can occur in the psychiatrist without higher centre processing.…”

“…15 Over-activation of the sympathetic nervous system in response to traumatic material, in conjunction with the parasympathetic nervous system's attempts to regulate it, can result in contradictory and fatiguing processes. 13,15 In response to exposure to the trauma of another, several automatic neuro-reciprocal processes can occur in the psychiatrist without higher centre processing. Activation of the neuroendocrine, autonomic and limbic systems occur as adaptive responses to the perceived mirrored threat.…”

“…Mirror neurons may be crucial to understanding how processing others’ experiences in a clinical setting can result in replication of trauma in psychiatrists through VT. People who are more empathic have greater activation of the mirror neuron system. 14 Whether wittingly or not, the ‘good’ psychiatrist becomes wired to their patients through empathic resonance, identifying and feeling their anxiety, distress and sadness, and subsequently becomes more susceptible to VT. 15…”

“…Dissociative responses to trauma, mediated by the parasympathetic nervous system, may underlie the professional detachment and depersonalization that can occur in VT and burnout. 15 Over-activation of the sympathetic nervous system in response to traumatic material, in conjunction with the parasympathetic nervous system’s attempts to regulate it, can result in contradictory and fatiguing processes. 13,15…”