Compassion fatigue is a condition beyond burnout, which describes a stage of extreme tension and stress. Unlike burnout, compassion fatigue is a secondary stress disorder caused by exposure to the traumatic experiences of the person who they are acting as caregiver for.
Compassion fatigue has a rapid onset and can be felt after the first experience of absorbing one's traumatic material. Burnout emerges gradually over time as the work-related attributes such as too much paperwork, lack of resources, and long shifts, pile up.
The symptoms of compassion fatigue make it more difficult to provide patient care and to perform other duties. Note that compassion fatigue is not the same as burnout.
However, a distinct difference is that burnout often occurs over an extended period from work overload whereas compassion fatigue can occur almost immediately as a reaction to an event or circumstance.
It is the mental and emotional distress that can follow when healthcare professionals connect and empathize with patients. Burnout, on the other hand, deals squarely with work environment and the factors that tie into it, such as job satisfaction and interactions with co-workers.
There are three important components of Compassion Fatigue: Compassion satisfaction, secondary stress, and burnout.
Fatigue doesn't cause an absence of positive emotions or hijack the mind with false beliefs and no-way-out, bleak thoughts. It's a temporary physical issue. Burnout crowds out positive emotions with all-negative, all-the-time.
Caregiver burnout is a state of physical, emotional and mental exhaustion. It may be accompanied by a change in attitude, from positive and caring to negative and unconcerned. Burnout can occur when caregivers don't get the help they need, or if they try to do more than they are able, physically or financially.
Practice deep breathing and other relaxation techniques. Avoid using alcohol or non-prescription drugs to help you manage your emotions. Give yourself time: Compassion fatigue isn't a sign of weakness. Be patient with yourself and ask others to be patient with you.
Some examples of common compassion fatigue triggers (causes) are: Providing therapy that introduces you to extreme or severe issues. Being physically or verbally threatened when providing care. Being confronted with suicide or threats of suicide by someone under your care.
In this tip sheet, you will learn about the causes and signs of compassion fatigue (CF) and tips for how to prevent it from happening to you. Research indicates that CF is made up of two main components: burnout and secondary traumatic stress.
Compassion satisfaction is essentially “the good stuff” or the positive aspects of helping, while compassion fatigue is “the bad stuff” or the negative aspects of helping. Let's talk about the good stuff. Compassion satisfaction is the pleasure and satisfying feeling that comes from helping others.
In the Part 1 you will engage in a self-assessment to determine how well you engage in the ABCs (Awareness, Balance, and Connection) of mitigating compassion fatigue.
CF is defined as “a state of exhaustion and dysfunction – biologically, psychologically, and socially – as a result of prolonged exposure to compassion stress” (Figley, 1995, p. 253). CF is “identical to secondary traumatic stress disorder (STSD) and is the equivalent of PTSD” (Figley, 1995, p. xv).
Burnout symptoms can affect a person's work and relationships, as well as their emotional and physical well-being.
Unfortunately, there's no set timeline for recovery from caregiver burnout. Some people can recover in a few days, and others can take years. Every person is different, and they need different things. If you're suffering from caregiver burnout and doing what you can to recover, take the time you need.
Burnout is when a person reaches a state of total mental, physical and emotional exhaustion and it has some similar signs and symptoms to a nervous breakdown. Your doctor can prescribe medicines for many mental health conditions, and refer you to other healthcare professionals, such as psychologists or psychiatrists.
Burnout is a state of complete mental, physical, and emotional exhaustion. If you are experiencing burnout, you may notice it is difficult to engage in activities you normally find meaningful. You may no longer care about the things that are important to you or experience an increasing sense of hopelessness.
In general, anxiety and burnout are different conditions that can affect people in different ways. While anxiety is characterized by excessive worry and fear, burnout is characterized by feelings of exhaustion and loss of motivation.
To prevent or recover from compassion fatigue, take time for self-reflection, identify what's important and live in a way that reflects it. To sustain yourself at work, develop “principles of practice” — guidelines of personal integrity that articulate the parameters of your personal values.