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That police violence deeply traumatizes those who are targeted by it is obvious.
But what about people who experience it vicariously?
Can you also be traumatized by watching videos of real-life violence?
Thats absolutely happening to people.
Yeah, its called vicarious traumatization.
How does it work?
Thats one of the leading causes of therapist burnout.
Vicarious traumatization doesnt qualify you [as suffering] PTSD.
But it is acknowledged as something that does happen when youre watching this kind of media.
Ive had people report that exact same thing to me.
Thats absolutely happening to people.
A lot of people are reporting having nightmares about being abused by police right now.
Its also people who have experienced other kinds of violence in their lives, particularly domestic violence.
Those memories are coming back to people right now in a very vivid way.
How does that mental process work?
We are an empathic people.
That means we can take on other peoples suffering.
For most people, it impacts them to a limited degree.
What causes those more intense, physical reactions?
Thats the fight-or-flight mechanism.
We can feel that kicking in even if were just watching news videos online.
How can people manage those debilitating feelings?
Being active and engaged around this issue doesnt require you to watch police brutality footage over and over.
Thats related to what were talking about.
That helpless feeling can be a part of vicarious traumatization.
There are a few things happening there.
But now its coming at you all the time if youre online.
And theres so much more of it whenever we access again.
Theres no escaping it.
And theres one other part of this, too, which is the militarization of police departments.
That sounds like its getting a little bit off the topic of psychology.
I bring it up because when youre dressed like military, you tend to behave like military.
Its an affront to the people who are protesting, because it represents the mentality that theyre protesting against.
A point where the imagery becomes a call to action?
Thats possible on an individual basis.
Those mini attacks that you get throughout a day can really wear you out by the end.
There might be other triggers as well.
That got across how terrifying his final moments must have been, the suffering that must have happened.
We discuss that its been happening to us and that were not the only ones who have experienced it.
People have spoken to me about the footage bringing up past trauma.
How can a person overcome vicarious traumatization?
Can the situation get better?
This is about realizing and accepting that yes, its true, some people are marginalized.
Some people are more likely to be abused by police than others.
And just because you dont experience it yourself doesnt mean that it doesnt exist.
This interview has been edited and condensed.
