Compassion Fatigue

By Nicole Houck

This month’s blog is going to be a bit different. While we typically talk about various topics surrounding mental health and therapy, we want to give readers an insight into something that therapists might encounter during their professional lives. Originally coined by nurse Carla Joinson in 1992, the term “compassion fatigue” applies to all those working in helping professions, such as nurses, therapists, social workers, hospice aids, dispatchers, and more. (If you want to read more about compassion fatigue as it relates to nursing, check out this Pubmed article.)

What is Compassion Fatigue?

Compassion fatigue can be understood as a type of burnout. It is specific to those who have a significant caretaker role in the lives of others, especially if this role involves helping people deal with things like physical conditions, life problems, and trauma. Helpers who are exposed to the stress and trauma of others can carry it with them, leading to compassion fatigue. 

The irony of compassion fatigue is that the traits that make helping professionals so good at their jobs are the very same traits that can make them susceptible to compassion fatigue. For example, the ability to empathize with others and their situations can allow these individuals to best understand and assist their clients. However, taking on the burdens of others can cause them to experience their trauma vicariously, leading to potentially developing compassion fatigue. 

Symptoms of Compassion Fatigue

This condition can manifest itself in different ways. Here are some of the potential signs and symptoms of compassion fatigue:

• Feeling emotionally numb

• Sleep changes and difficulties

• Social withdrawal

• Feeling helpless

• Decreased interest in going out and doing things

• Feeling irritable

• Feeling depressed

Clearly, it is important for helping professionals to care for themselves so that they can better care for their clients. If they neglect their own self-care, they risk developing compassion fatigue and being unable to take care of people to the best of their ability. Not only does this impact their work lives, but it can also be damaging to their personal lives. 

How Can Counselors Prevent Compassion Fatigue?

Counselors must work to prevent compassion fatigue before it comes. The American Counseling Association mandates that professionals monitor themselves for any mental impairments that might limit how they help their clients. This means taking preventative measures to avoid compassion fatigue.

Counselors can do various things to prevent this type of burnout. One thing, for example, is for counselors to seek their own therapy. It may seem odd to think about, but counselors are people too! It is not uncommon for them to have their own therapists. In fact, it can even be beneficial to their clients. If your therapist is mentally healthy, they can devote the necessary time and energy to helping you. Counselors can also integrate self-care into their personal lives, doing things like spending time outside, improving their sleep-health, journaling, and getting enough exercise. 

I hope you enjoyed this glimpse into the other side of therapy! Want to read up about compassion fatigue yourself? Try these articles by Psychology Today and the Canadian Medical Association. Remember, counselors are people too!