Q: What are the stages of compassion fatigue?

Compassion fatigue has the following four stages.<ol><li>Zealot phase. A person is passionate and excited about work. They may go above and beyond to show their commitment and eagerness to excel. </li><li>Irritability phase. Feelings of enthusiasm start to wane, followed by avoiding work responsibilities. While still performing in their care-taking role, their commitment to quality work declines, and they become more careless and make mistakes.</li><li>Withdrawal phase. No longer feeling passionate about work, the line between personal life and care-taking responsibilities blurs. The lack of clear boundaries results in irritability towards and about those being cared for and totally detachment from the helping role. </li><li>Zombie phase. The caregiver continues to distance themselves from those they take care of and sink into a depression. They may feel despondent and angry, and project this onto coworkers, viewing them as incompetent.</li></ol>

Question 1

What is compassion fatigue?

Accepted Answer

Experts define compassion fatigue as the unpleasant psychological symptoms that caregivers may experience that come from being exposed to either primary trauma (trauma experienced themselves) or secondary trauma (seeing a person or people they care for experiencing trauma) while providing care.

Compassion fatigue is often thought of as a type of psychological deterioration. It's not usually linked to a single traumatic event, but rather to continuous, recurrent exposure to stressful events. The act of giving care in the face of human suffering and trauma wears down an individual's psychological resilience over time, resulting in a variety of negative psychosocial outcomes.

Question 2

What is an example of compassion fatigue?

Accepted Answer

Here is an example of compassion fatigue: If you work at a hospital or mental health facility and suddenly lose the sense of joy you once had for your job. Instead of looking forward to work, you feel extremely tired and dread going to work each day.

Question 3

Is compassion fatigue the same as burnout?

Accepted Answer

No, compassion fatigue is not the same as burnout. While they share symptoms, the cause and the approach to treatment are key in differentiating these two conditions. Burnout relates to your relationship with your work, being overwhelmed, lacking rest and recognition, or just generally having too much on your plate.

Compassion fatigue is distinctive in that it stems from care-taking and helping others. Detachment and exhaustion caused by getting a heavy and regular dose of others' trauma is another telltale marker of compassion fatigue.

Question 4

What are the symptoms of compassion fatigue?

Accepted Answer

The symptoms of compassion fatigue include feeling powerless, helpless, irritable, angry, depressed, and/or numb. It is also common to feel disconnected. Those experiencing compassion fatigue tend to ruminate about other people’s pain and feel irritated at the circumstances or individuals that caused it.

If your productivity plummets or your work/life boundaries begin to fade, you could be experiencing compassion fatigue. Other signs include depression, jumpiness, and feeling like you're on edge or boxed in. If you start having intrusive thoughts, experience a major shift in your life outlook, or become inexplicably and regularly exhausted, you may want to double down on your self-care routine and consider seeing a therapist.

Since compassion fatigue develops over time, it's easy to miss the signs or confuse them with similar issues like burnout or depression.

Question 5

What are the stages of compassion fatigue?

Accepted Answer

Compassion fatigue has the following four stages.

Zealot phase. A person is passionate and excited about work. They may go above and beyond to show their commitment and eagerness to excel.
Irritability phase. Feelings of enthusiasm start to wane, followed by avoiding work responsibilities. While still performing in their care-taking role, their commitment to quality work declines, and they become more careless and make mistakes.
Withdrawal phase. No longer feeling passionate about work, the line between personal life and care-taking responsibilities blurs. The lack of clear boundaries results in irritability towards and about those being cared for and totally detachment from the helping role.
Zombie phase. The caregiver continues to distance themselves from those they take care of and sink into a depression. They may feel despondent and angry, and project this onto coworkers, viewing them as incompetent.

Question 6

Who experiences compassion fatigue?

Accepted Answer

Compassion fatigue can impact anyone who spends a significant amount of their lives and energy taking care of others, especially those who are frequently exposed to others' trauma. Healthcare workers are at a higher risk of developing compassion fatigue and need to stay aware as they're also prone to overlooking their vulnerability to such a condition.

While it's frequently medical workers that suffer, anyone in a helping role can experience compassion fatigue. Anyone who shoulders the burdens of others and assists in their regular care needs to stay tuned-in to the signs and symptoms of compassion fatigue and maintain consistent self-care to offset the pressures of their lifestyle.

Question 7

How is compassion fatigue treated?

Accepted Answer

Treatment for compassion fatigue depends on many factors, but seeing a mental health professional is the most effective since they are experts. However, there are ways to treat compassion fatigue without seeing a therapist. One great way is to turn the compassion inward. Find and follow a self-care routine that includes recalibrating your professional and personal time, eating and sleeping well, and making healthy choices.

People who help others are often reluctant to recognize when they're in need, so it's important to remain sensitive to changes in your work-life balance and realize when something isn't right. APA recommends that you keep this handy self-assessment tool at the ready for frequent check-ins.

Remember to slow down, take breaks from stressful situations, moderate the amount of information or others' trauma you absorb, and use your coworkers and community as a resource for support and encouragement.

Another way to combat compassion fatigue is to practice mindfulness by enjoying small successes along the way, tempering expectations, and setting realistic goals that you acknowledge achieving.

Most importantly, seek support from a mental help professional when needed.

What is compassion fatigue?

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