Watch for These Key Warning Signs of Compassion Fatigue

Have you ever heard of compassion fatigue?

Compassion fatigue is similar to burnout.  It is the feeling that you have no more empathy to give.

​With all of the mass casualties (Covid) and tragedies that have occurred in the last few years, especially in the last few weeks with the mass shootings of yet again, another school, killing 19 children and 2 adults, in addition to harming physically, emotionally and psychological scores of others within the community and society at large........it is understandable that we often feel that we have no more to give others because we have tapped our emotions to the breaking point.

Banner Health Blog offers a few of the symptoms of compassion fatigue:

• Feeling exhausted physically and psychologically
• Feeling helpless, hopeless or powerless
• Feeling irritable, angry, sad or numb
• A sense of being detached or having decreased pleasure in activities
• Ruminating about the suffering of others and feeling anger towards the events or people causing the suffering
• Blaming yourself and having thoughts of not having done enough to help the people who are suffering
• A decreased sense of personal and professional accomplishment
• A change in your worldview or spirituality
• Physical symptoms, including sleep and appetite disturbances, nausea and dizziness

We all get to watch for these symptoms and take care of ourselves, so we don't lose the compassion for what others are going through.  We get to make sure that we take care of our needs - emotionally, physically and spiritually, so that we can be of service to others when they are in crises.  

• Finding a balance between your professional and personal life and taking time off if you can
• Following self-care routines—get enough sleep, choose healthy food, exercise regularly and nurture social relationships
• Avoiding information overload and paying attention to how stressful or traumatic information affects you
• Identifying your priorities and engaging in activities that replenish and rejuvenate you
• Practicing gratitude and being in the present moment
• Understanding that suffering and pain are a part of the collective human experience, and that you do not always have control over them
• Focusing on areas that you have control over, including your thoughts and feelings, rather than having unrealistic expectations about changing things that might be beyond your control
• Seeking professional help if you need it​

Watch for These Key Warning Signs of Compassion Fatigue