Compassion fatigue is characterized by physical and emotional exhaustion and a profound decrease in the ability to empathize. This is a secondary form of traumatic stress, as stress occurs as a result of helping or wanting to help those who are in need. 

It is often referred to as “the cost of caring” for others who are in physical or emotional pain. If left untreated, compassion fatigue not only can affect mental and physical health but can also have serious legal and ethical implications when providing therapeutic services to people.

Compassion fatigue is not the same thing as burnout, it can be less predictable and may come on suddenly or without much warning, whereas burnout usually develops over time.

Because it can arise so abruptly, it can be important for nurses to protect themselves from this condition. Here are a few strategies to help combat this all too common experience –

Educate yourself on the symptoms:

• Chronic exhaustion (emotional, physical, or both)

• Reduced feelings of sympathy or empathy

• Dreading working for or taking care of another and feeling guilty as a result
• Feelings of irritability, anxiety, or anger 

• Depersonalization

• Hypersensitivity or complete insensitivity to emotional material

• Feelings of inequity toward the therapeutic relationship
• Headaches

• Trouble sleeping

• Weight loss

• Impaired decision-making

• Problems with your personal relationships 

• Poor work-life balance

• Diminished sense of career fulfillment

Practice self-care by getting plenty of sunshine, a balanced, nutritious diet, exercise, restful sleep, balancing your work with your leisure activity, and honoring your emotional needs. 

Set emotional boundaries. The challenge is to remain compassionate, empathetic, and supportive of others without becoming overly involved and taking on another’s pain. Setting emotional boundaries helps maintain a connection while still remembering and honoring the fact that you are a separate person with your own needs.

While it is great to have strong relationships with your co-workers, it is equally important to cultivate and maintain healthy relationships outside of work. It can sometimes be tough for co-workers to avoid talking about work even outside the workplace. Relating with friends who are not aware of the ins and outs of your work situation can provide much needed emotional and professional relief.

Use healthy coping strategies. While it may be alluring to wash away the stress and emotional burdens of your job with alcohol or drugs, this can actually work in the reverse and compound stress in the long run. Consider making a list of positive coping tactics to use in times of stress. This might include deep breathing, meditation, taking a walk, talking with a friend, watching a funny movie, or relaxing in a hot bath.

Seek professional therapy. If you find yourself feeling emotionally vulnerable, significantly stressed, or overwhelmed, consider contacting a therapist who can help you process your feelings and implement strategies to help you combat compassion fatigue and maintain a healthy work-life balance.

In conclusion, build your resiliency. “Resilience can be thought of as the ability to adapt to and become stronger through adversity,” said Marjie L. Roddick, MA, LMHC. Resilience is something that can be learned, and enhancing or boosting it can reduce the effects of compassion fatigue as new coping methods are learned.

References:

1. Badger, K. (2008). Preventing compassion fatigue: Caring for ourselves while caring for others. Phoenix Society’s Burn Support News. Retrieved from http://www.phoenix-society.org/resources/entry/preventing-compassion-fatigue
2. Brooks, C. (2013, March 5). Career success means work-life balance, study finds. Retrieved from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/05/career-success-means-work-life-balance_n_2812707.html
3. Boyle, D. A. (2011, January). Countering compassion fatigue: A requisite nursing agenda. The Online Journal of Issues in Nursing, 16(1). Retrieved from http://www.nursingworld.org/MainMenuCategories/ANAMarketplace/ANAPeriodicals/OJIN/TableofContents/Vol-16-2011/No1-Jan-2011/Countering-Compassion-Fatigue.html
4. Mathieu, F. (2007). Running on empty: Compassion fatigue in health professionals. Rehab & Community Care Medicine. Retrieved from: http://www.compassionfatigue.org/pages/RunningOnEmpty.pdf

Bio‐ Amelia Coman-Capps, RN, BBA, MSN, OCN

Amelia has been a practicing RN for 18 years. Beginning her career in the Intensive Care Unit with an emphasis on Cardiac and Neurological Critical Care. She began clinical instruction during her ICU work for Front Range Community College in Boulder, CO. She began Oncology nursing approximately 12 years ago, has been a Certified Oncology RN for many years now, and obtained her Masters of Science in Nursing, specializing in Education in 2015. She continues in oncology and nursing education, teaching Medical Surgical nursing in the Associate’s Degree program for Front Range Community College while working also at the Rocky Mountain Cancer Center in Longmont Co. 

An avid international traveler with her husband Michael, she especially enjoys her mountain home and all the activities the Rockies bring in all seasons. Remaining passionate about educating nurses, the most fulfilling part of that process is watching the pride and knowledge grow in each student as the world of nursing opens opportunities for her students, some they never dreamed possible.