WHAT IS IT?
Compassion Fatigue is the emotional state of the helping person/ care worker that becomes affected.
On a day to day basis ,and over time, it can become a struggle to function in a caregiving enviroment which constantly presents challenges of all kinds -emotional-physical & personal.
We use empathy and open our hearts and feelings to others, and can be affected by what they are experiencing.
Over time , it can reach a point whereby the emotional fatigue affects our ability to be compassionate in all areas of our lives both personal and professional.
COMPASSION FATIGUE SYNDROME
* If any of this feels familiar please seek help from your GP.
This is purely for guidance, recognition and awareness
Symptoms for the individual.
May include:-
• Excessive blaming
• Bottled up emotions
• Isolation from others
• Receives an unusual amount of complaints from
others
• Voices excessive complaints about administrative functions
• Substance abuse used to mask feelings
• Compulsive behaviors such as overspending, overeating, gambling, sexual addictions
• Poor self-care (i.e., hygiene, appearance)
• Legal problems, indebtedness
• Reoccurrence of nightmares and flashbacks to a
traumatic event
• Chronic physical ailments such as gastrointestinal problems and recurrent colds
• Apathy, sad, no longer finding activities pleasurable
• Difficulty concentrating
• Mentally and physically tired
• Preoccupied
• In denial about problems
Affects within the workplace.
• High absenteeism
• Constant changes in co-workers relationships
• Inability for teams to work well together
• Desire among staff members to break company rules
• Outbreaks of aggressive behaviors among staff
• Inability of staff to complete assignments and tasks
• Inability of staff to respect and meet deadlines
• Lack of flexibility among staff members
• Negativism towards management
• Strong reluctance toward change
• Inability of staff to believe improvement is possible
• Lack of a vision for the future
What happens now?
There is a way through it.
Once you have recognised and accepted that this is something which is affecting you,you can begin to look at what you can do to get back to 'wellness.'
How often do people take time to understand how their jobs are affecting them emotionally?
Here is a bit of encouragement towards those first steps.
• Be kind to yourself.
• Enhance your awareness with education.
• Accept where you are on your path at all times.
• Understand that those close to you may not be there when you need them most.
• Exchange information and feelings with people who can validate you.
• Listen to others who are suffering.
• Clarify your personal boundaries. What works for you; what doesn't.
• Express your needs verbally.
• Take positive action to change your environment.
Continuing self care ....some ideas.
Many of these seem quite obvious and as we are all unique we each have our own 'feel good' interests which calm and relax. Please use this to help you think of what you enjoy.
Health-building activities such as exercise, massage, yoga, meditation.
• Eating healthy foods
• Drinking plenty of water
• Use natural healing products to care for and heal your body
• Practicing the art of self-management. Just say no
• Developing a healthy support system: people who contribute to your self esteem, people who listen well, people who care
• Organizing your life so you become proactive as opposed to reactive
• Reserving your life energy for worthy causes. Choose your battles.
• Living a balanced life: Sing, dance, sit with silence
