This is just a quick article that I have written because I think it’s an important topic to discuss in the human services field. I first heard of the term ‘Compassion fatigue’ about 9 years ago during a few days of Vicarious Trauma training. Little did I know that I was actually experiencing that very issue at the time of the training! Well, until I’d completed the training – then it became blaringly obvious.
Experiencing compassion fatigue does not mean that your career in social work (or other related human services work) needs to end! It doesn’t mean that you don’t care anymore, or that you’re now ‘bitter’ in the job, it may just mean that you need a break, you need time for yourself.
Compassion fatigue is a term used to describe the emotional exhaustion and burnout that healthcare professionals and caregivers experience when providing care to others who are suffering or traumatised.
It is a condition that can be seen in anyone who is regularly exposed to the suffering of others, including therapists, social workers, animal welfare workers, and family members caring for sick loved ones.
Compassion fatigue occurs when the constant exposure to trauma and suffering begins to take a toll on a person’s emotional and physical well-being.
It can manifest in many ways, including physical exhaustion, emotional numbness, and a loss of empathy for others. Below are just 5 signs that you may have compassion fatigue, but keep in mind that this list is not exhaustive.
5 top signs you have compassion fatigue
1. Chronic Exhaustion
If you feel tired all the time, regardless of how much sleep you get, this may be a sign of compassion fatigue.
This is because the constant exposure to trauma and suffering can lead to physical exhaustion, even if you are getting enough rest.
I remember when I had Compassion Fatigue, I had to hold my head up with my hand at my desk to keep it from dropping, the 3pm ‘slump’ was so bad that I tried to advocate for ‘nap time’ to my boss – seriously. The exhaustion just would not leave – no matter how much I rested every night after work and slept in on the weekends.
2. emotional numbness
If you find yourself feeling emotionally detached or indifferent to the suffering of others, this may be a sign of compassion fatigue.
This can manifest as a loss of empathy or a lack of emotional response to situations that would typically be upsetting or distressing.
Being a HSP – this one was very concerning for me. I remember going a very long time without crying, months (maybe a year?) and this was not because there was nothing to cry about! There was plenty to cry about. I had just shut myself off from feeling my emotions and became numb to everything. I still cared about people, but the energy invested in expressing empathy had completely fizzled out.
3. increased irritability
If you find yourself becoming easily frustrated or irritated with clients or loved ones, this may be a sign of compassion fatigue. This can occur when the stress and exhaustion of caring for others becomes too much to handle.
I think ‘frustration’ was an understatement for me. I constantly felt annoyed, at everything and everyone. I developed a real hatred of the legal system and started to feel like clients were wanting too much from me…which was not true, what they needed was validation and support – but I was so tired that even the thought of giving more energy to others was enough to make me want to quit.
I thought I had come up with a good cure – running! I ran every morning for years as a way of releasing stress, so that at least the first part of the day started on a high. This lasted, mayyybe an hour each morning – until the reality of the work day hit. Then the irritability and frustration would kick in.
4. decreased job satisfaction
If you no longer find joy or fulfillment in your work, this may be a sign of compassion fatigue.
This can occur when the constant exposure to trauma and suffering begins to take a toll on your emotional and mental well-being.
We are carers, it is in our nature, it is likely why we choose the helping profession to begin with. What then happens when you are no longer satisfied with your job because you have no more energy to give? This may look different for you, but for me, it looked like chronic health problems, insomnia, failed relationships and much more.
5. physical symptoms
If you experience physical symptoms such as headaches, gastrointestinal problems, or muscle tension, this may be a sign of compassion fatigue.
This is because the stress and exhaustion of caring for others can manifest in physical symptoms as well as emotional symptoms.
I never realised how connected our mind and body were. It may sound silly to some of you, but I honestly had no idea that my chronic pain was directly related to my stress levels and emotional state. Think about it, the amount of distressing content that you are exposed to on a daily basis, when you don’t have the time or energy to process this, reflect on it, debrief about it or take any break from it – where does this energy go? What does it turn into when you are pushing it down so you can just ‘get on with it’?
A kind reminder…
If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms, and you think it is related to your role, it is important to seek support and take steps to prevent or treat what is going on for you.
Some steps include self-care, seeking professional help, and setting healthy boundaries.
As someone who has experienced compassion fatigue, I highly encourage you to seek out support! If it weren’t for my external clinical supervisor (years ago), I probably would not be working in the world of Social Work anymore. I would have left, thinking that I was ‘too bitter’ or ‘too shut off’ from clients.
But, that couldn’t be further from the truth, it was because I cared so deeply in a job that had high secondary trauma that I became exhausted from it.
This article is just a little reminder for those of you that may need it right now – Compassion Fatigue is real, it is complex and it is not uncommon for women to experience this, especially in the helping profession.
I provide Supervision and Coaching for students and professionals in the helping profession, focusing on self care and prioritising health and wellbeing. My experience of Compassion Fatigue is one of the key reasons I do this work, the difference between looking after yourself vs not, in Social Work practice – is life changing!
