Signs of Compassion Fatigue

What we used to call “burnout” is now also labeled “compassion fatigue,” ongoing overwhelm, “secondary traumatization,” and “nervous exhaustion”. People can become prey to this insidious form of emotional exhaustion. Those who constantly and conscientiously care for others, in whatever capacity, are the most vulnerable. Compassion fatigue is a state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion, where one feels depleted, chronically tired, helpless, hopeless, and bad, even cynical, about oneself, work, life, and the state of the world. The Germans have a very precise word for this “feeling the pain of the world” which they describe as ”weltschmertz.” Caregivers are often elevated to some special status, by themselves or by others, and this only adds to the problem.
Compassion fatigue is marked by a gradual disengagement, emotions are blunted, and exhaustion affects motivation and drive. The grief engendered by a loss of ideals and hope may lead to a deepening depression, a sense of helplessness and hopelessness and a feeling that life is just not worth living. Substance abuse can arise as a form of self-medication. Although symptoms vary, the following fed flags may indicate that you may have compassion fatigue:

Abusing drugs, alcohol or food

Anger

Blaming

Chronic Lateness

Depression

Diminished sense of personal accomplishment

Exhaustion (physical or emotional)

Frequent headaches

Gastrointestinal complaints

High expectations

Hopelessness

Hypertension

Inability to maintain balance of empathy and objectivity

Increased irritability

Less ability to feel joy

Low self-esteem

Sleep disturbances

Workaholism

Compassion Fatigue:
The Professional Liability for Caring Too Much
By Rosemary Thompson, Ed.D., LPC, NCC, NCSC
Supervisor of Guidance and Counseling
Chesapeake Public Schools, Chesapeake, Va.

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