Whether you’re a professional carer or personal circumstances have led to you caring for a loved one at home, it’s in our nature to do all we possibly can to ensure those who need our help are cared for, safe and loved. But for those in a position of care, Compassion Fatigue is a very real, sometimes debilitating, condition which can negatively impact a person’s mental and physical health and wellbeing. It can make it difficult, or even impossible, for a carer to perform the duties required of them.
For those at risk of developing Compassion Fatigue, understanding the symptoms and knowing which treatment options are available is a great way to ensure you’re able to tackle it head-on, should the need ever arise.
According to the American Institute of Stress, Compassion Fatigue is broadly defined as:
“the emotional residue or strain of exposure to working with those suffering from the consequences of traumatic events.”
It is most commonly diagnosed in people who regularly interact with victims of trauma or disaster in their work, such as:
- Healthcare workers
- Emergency responders
- Social workers
- Therapists
- Journalists
It can also have a secondary impact on their families and loved ones. Compassion Fatigue may result from working on a single traumatic case, or from long-term exposure to a particularly challenging profession.
How Compassion Fatigue Manifests
Compassion Fatigue can show itself in many ways, but one of the most common and striking effects is emotional numbness.
When symptoms begin to develop, individuals may feel:
- Difficulty concentrating or trouble with decision-making
- Mood swings, often with intense irritability or anger
- Feelings of hopelessness
- Depression and anxiety
- Social withdrawal and isolation from others
- Physical symptoms such as headaches, stomach issues, or constant fatigue
- An increased use of substances (e.g., alcohol or drugs) as a coping mechanism
