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What is compassion fatigue and who does it impact? · Wellbeing Solutions - Ask A Counsellor

• 0:00
  SPEAKER_00: So compassion fatigue is often described as the emotional and physical exhaustion that can develop after repeatedly caring for people who are suffering or experiencing trauma or difficulties.
• 0:12
  SPEAKER_00: It's sometimes called the cost of caring.
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  SPEAKER_00: While compassion is a positive and essential quality, it is also not just a quality, it is something that needs resourcing, and constantly supporting others without enough time to recover or fill your own cup can leave a person feeling overwhelmed, emotionally drained, unable to provide the same level of empathy that they once could, and just as though they can't process what they're being told.
• 0:38
  SPEAKER_00: Compassion fatigue can affect healthcare professionals, social workers, teachers, emergency responders, counsellors, carers, and even family members and people that are active in the communities.
• 0:50
  SPEAKER_00: Anybody who regularly prioritises the needs of others can be at risk.
• 0:58
  SPEAKER_00: The signs of compassion fatigue can appear gradually.
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  SPEAKER_00: Someone might feel constantly exhausted, numb, irritable, anxious, or hopeless.
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  SPEAKER_00: They might find it difficult to concentrate or be present, they might lose interest in activities they once enjoyed or feel detached from the people that they care for.
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  SPEAKER_00: Some people can also experience more physical symptoms such as headaches, difficulty sleeping, or changes in appetite.
• 1:27
  SPEAKER_00: It's important to understand that compassion fatigue is not a sign of weakness or failure or no longer caring.
• 1:34
  SPEAKER_00: It is a normal nervous system response to prolonged exposure to distress.
• 1:39
  SPEAKER_00: Like I said before, we do actually need to resource ourselves.
• 1:43
  SPEAKER_00: Being very present for somebody is a skill as well as a quality.
• 1:47
  SPEAKER_00: And sometimes when we're not resourcing that, we don't have the capacity to resource it for ourselves, it can manifest in compassion fatigue.
• 1:58
  SPEAKER_00: Recognizing it early allows people to take steps to protect their own resources before it develops into more serious burnout or mental health problems.
• 2:08
  SPEAKER_00: By caring for ourselves, we are better able to care for others.
• 2:11
  SPEAKER_00: We can't pour from an empty cup, and your best is what you can give without spilling what's in your cup and not all that you can endure in spite of it.
• 2:20
  SPEAKER_00: Looking after our own well being isn't putting ourselves above others, it's merely resourcing ourselves, and it can allow us to continue to make a positive difference in the lives of those who depend on us and to build a community that is sustainable.