Compassion Fatigue

Compassion Fatigue.

Developing compassion fatigue is a gradual, cumulative process and so is healing from its effects.

Many things contribute to it, so many aspects of it require support. Attention to life stressors, planning for self-care, working through anxiety, depression or trauma responses… all are part of getting through the deep physical and emotional exhaustion that are the result. In order to reignite empathy with people outside our caregiving roles and with ourselves, we may require more than a holiday or physical relaxation. Once recovery is achieved, planning how to cope with future stressors and recognize the early warning signs can help people avoid falling back into the habit of ‘running on empty’.

Individual care givers, helping professionals and staff groups can all benefit from supportive education or even counselling sessions to address compassion fatigue.