Are You Aware of “Compassion Fatigue?”

If you work in a helping profession, in emergency services, or you are at home caring for someone who’s physical less-abled, mentally challenged and/or extensively distressed, you may at some point, begin to experience compassion fatigue.

Compassion fatigue is a state of physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion that can occur when you’re constantly exposed to emotionally alarming, or traumatic situations, or you’re working with individuals who are suffering. Although there are some similar symptoms to burnout, compassion fatigue is more individually, and situationally specific to the helper.

Also worth noting, is if you are also empathic in nature, in having the capacity to deeply feel and easily absorb the feelings of others, then know too, that you will be at even a greater risk for experiencing compassion fatigue.

Signs and Symptoms of Compassion Fatigue

Physical Signs:

  • Feeling tired all the time, even after a good night's sleep

  • Insomnia or difficulty sleeping

  • Changes in appetite or weight

  • Headaches or body aches

  • Nausea or other gastrointestinal problems

Emotional Signs:

  • Feeling overwhelmed or hopeless

  • Difficulty concentrating or remembering things

  • Loss of interest in things you used to enjoy

  • Withdrawing from friends and family

  • Irritability or anger outbursts

  • increased use of alcohol or drugs

Mental Signs:

  • Anxiety or panic attacks

  • Depression

  • Thoughts of self-harm or suicide

If you're experiencing any of these symptoms it's beneficial to take a step back and assess your situation. Are you taking enough time for yourself? Do you know how to effectively set boundaries with the people you're helping? Knowing how to set personal and workplace boundaries is critical in managing our daily lives, and needs to be front and centre in maintaining our health.

Another perspective to consider, is that as human beings, we are always seeking to find a sense of balance in our lives, especially when we’ve over-extended our energy. Therefore, thinking in terms of how to refresh or “clear” our own energy, when we’ve been exposed to people’s distressed or depressed energies, has now become a daily, mindful practice for many people.

Here are some practical suggestions:

  • Be out in nature’s calming, clearing and healing energy as much as possible.

  • Take an Empson salts bath

  • Swim in the ocean or a lake

  • Garden – put your hands in earth

  • Walk barefoot on the earth to ground your energy

  • Spend time with loving animals – their natural unconditional loving and empathic nature can nourish and refresh you

  • Play upbeat, inspiring music

  • Sing out loud

  • Receive a Reiki session to clear and balance your energy centres (“chakras”)

  • Smudge around your whole body, and the energy in your home, and if allowed, your work space

  • Use crystal bowls or tuning forks to clear yourself, your home and work environment

  • Research specific plants and flowers for your work and home space that absorb negative energy

And perhaps one of the most important things you can do, is talk to someone about what you're going through. A therapist or counselor can help you manage your feelings and develop effective coping strategies to support you in regaining your equilibrium and sense of self.

Conclusion:

Compassion fatigue is a very real problem for people who work in helping professions or caring for loved ones at home. If you're experiencing the signs of compassion fatigue, please take action as soon as you can. Talk to someone about what you're going through and make sure to take time for yourself. By recognizing your own signs of compassion fatigue and seeking more support for yourself, you can avoid the debilitating impact of physical, emotional and mental exhaustion, and thereby maintain your worthwhile service to people, who are meant to benefit in knowing you.

Barbara Halcrow

Barbara believes that by offering ourselves more care and self-nourishment we will gain in personal strength and resilience. In this way, we can create swifter, positive changes in our lives, and we can also positively affect the lives of others.

Don’t forget to have your own “recess time” and add play to your day!

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