What is compassion fatigue and how do I prevent it in a helping profession?
Work, Stress & Burnout
Compassion fatigue is emotional and physical exhaustion from helping others; prevent it with strong boundaries, self-care, and professional support.
Compassion fatigue is a form of secondary Psychological trauma and Occupational burnout that affects people in helping professions like healthcare, Psychotherapy, and social work. It's the emotional and physical exhaustion that comes from constantly being exposed to others' suffering. Symptoms include depression/emotional-numbness" class="internal-link">emotional numbness, cynicism, and reduced empathy. To prevent it, you need strong Personal healthy boundaries between work and home, a consistent taking care of yourself" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Self-care practice, and regular supervision or peer support. Remember that you can't effectively care for others if you're not caring for yourself. Your well-being is essential for your work.