The ABC's of Compassion Fatigue
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The ABC’s of Compassion Fatigue In a world in which we are all striving Awareness to live as our most mindful and compassionate selves; where we are Signs of compassion fatigue include: encouraged to reach out to others we recognise may be suffering from Feeling burdened by the suffering of mental and emotional distress; teamed • others with the barrage of tragedy and Blaming others for their suffering devastation being brought into our • Isolating yourself personal worlds through television and • Loss of pleasure in life social media; compassion fatigue is no • Difficulty concentrating longer something only health • Insomnia professionals can experience. • • Physical and mental fatigue Bottling up your emotions With symptoms similar to that of • Increased nightmares Burnout, Compassion Fatigue has been • Feelings of hopelessness or defined as the emotional residue of • powerlessness exposure to working with those Frequent complaining about your suffering from the effects of traumatic • work or your life events. What this means is that those Overeating who regularly find themselves an • Excessive use of drugs or alcohol empathic listener to the traumatic • Poor self-care stories and suffering of clients’, friends • Beginning to receive a lot of or family members have the potential • complaints about your work or to experience compassion fatigue. The attitude result of this is that you may find Denial yourself becoming numb and • disconnected to the suffering of others. Balance So while we strive to help others, it is Keep Balance in Your Life important to also be aware of how this Practice excellent self-care may have an impact on our own • Nurture yourself by putting activities health. • in your schedule that are sources of pleasure, joy and diversion The first step in knowing how to avoid Allow yourself to take mini-escapes- or manage Compassion Fatigue is of • these relieve the intensity of your course Awareness. work • Transform the negative impact of • What made you laugh today? (Share your helping others (find meaning, it!) challenge negativity, find gratitude) • Get professional help when needed Connections to get back on track- we all need coaches and consultants at times Talk out your stress- process, your • It’s okay to say No. If you are thoughts and reactions with someone else finding yourself overwhelmed, it may (co-worker, therapist, clergy, friend, be necessary to not be that family, supervisor). Let someone be the empathetic listener sometimes empathic listener for you! Find Your Passion Build a positive support system that • We all have hidden sources of supports you, not fuels your stress. energy and healing power. • When you identify the things that A great reducer of stress can be pets. fuel you, the things that you have Pets accept whatever affection you are able true passion for, your fatigue will to give them without asking for more— disappear. Pets are basically invulnerable to “provider • Balancing your life involves putting burnout” the things that we value and have passion for in our schedule. Sources: Balance for Your Soul The American Institute of Stress. 2017. • Have quiet alone time in a calm, Compassion Fatigue. (ONLINE) Available beautiful place- a safe retreat where at: you feel renewed https://www.stress.org. (Accessed 25 July • Have an awareness of what restores 2017). and replenishes you. • Find ways to acknowledge loss and Sherrie Bourg Carter is the author of High grief Octane Women: How Superachievers Can • Stay clear with commitment to Avoid Burnout career goals or your personal mission • Know how to focus on what you can control To learn more about Suicide and how you • Look at situations as entertaining could help in the fight against suicide, contact challenges and opportunities, not TALK SUICIDE Support Service on 1800 008 problems or stresses 255 to discuss tailoring a training package to suit your needs. Balancing Activity • List one mini-escape or diversion TALK SUICIDE Support Service is an initiative that worked well to restore and of Suicide Prevention Pathways Inc. (SPP) offering programs that educate, raise renew you awareness and above all provide emotional • List one thing that brings you joy and practical support to those at risk of suicide • Name 3 things you feel grateful for and their family and friends. For more today information visit spp.org.au or call us on 1800 • Think of something that has brought 008 255. you a sense of joy (Make your top ten list) This Factsheet may be freely downloaded, copied and distributed on condition no change is made to the • Who do you love that you can reach contents. SPP is not responsible for any actions taken as out to today? (Call them!) a result of information or opinions contained in the Factsheet. [Version, 2018] P. 1800 008 255 [email protected] www.spp.org.au .