Compassion fatigue is often described as the negative cost of caring, where a person experiences emotional and physical exhaustion that leads to a diminished ability to empathise or feel compassion for others. It is also known as a form of secondary traumatic stress, as the condition has arises from helping or wanting to help those who are in need. Those who are most at risk for compassion fatigue are individuals who work in the helping professions or are informal caregivers to people with enduring illness. Without intervention, compassion fatigue not only affects the mental and physical health for the individual, but it can have serious implications in provision of care of people.
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The most common signs and symptoms of compassion fatigue include:
Chronic exhaustion (emotional, physical or both)
Reduced feelings of sympathy or empathy
Feelings of dread around undertaking care of another, that could lead to guilt or absenteeism
Lower concentration levels, increased irritability
Feelings of helplessness and numbness
What things will help compassion fatigue?
Those who are constantly concerned with the needs of others often will end up neglecting their own needs. Therefore practising self-care not only helps alleviate symptoms of compassion fatigue, but also serves as a method of protection. When self-care activities are practised, there’s less opportunity to over-work. Since over-working is often at the heart of compassion fatigue, prioritising your self-care is key.
Set firm emotional boundaries between yourself and your role. There is a balance to remain empathetic and supportive or others without being too overly involved and taking on the other person’s pain. It’s possible to still have connection yet honouring that you are a separate person with your own needs.
Being self-aware. The signs and symptoms from compassion fatigue is an alert that our resources are depleted. This paradoxically can be a helpful situation when we are self aware. Pay attention to those signs of overwhelm, take stock and re-balance through our self-care practices.
Seeking further help. If you are experiencing significant symptoms where you are overwhelmed, stressed out or emotionally vulnerable, consider contacting your GP who may refer you to therapy. Alternatively, Compassionate Cuppa could help you to process your feelings and assist you to implement strategies to overcome compassion fatigue.
Compassionate Cuppa is the mental health hug in a mug! We guide individuals towards uplifting their mental wellbeing through mentoring and practical support, so that they live life well. Find out more or book the initial virtual session for FREE on www.compassionatecuppa.co.uk/personal
Image Description: Hospital staff pushing a patient in a rush on a hospital trolley, representation of when the term compassion fatigue was first coined to describe nurses being exposed to repeated, stressful situations caring for people in the course of their work.
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