Compassion Fatigue The Stress of Caring Too Much

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Compassion FatigueThe Stress of Caring Too Much

• By Terry V. Eagan, MD.
• Medical Director
• Moonview Sanctuary

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What is Compassion Fatigue?

• Gradual lessening of compassion and increased
  tension over time.
• Reduced willingness to provide care-giving and
  social services.
• Emotional residue of exposure to working with
  people who are suffering.
• Consuming state of tension and preoccupation with
  the individual or cumulative trauma of clients.
• Adopting or displaying clients symptoms eg.
  secondary post-traumatic stress

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Who is affected?

• Health Care Professionals (medical
  psychological)
• Emergency Care Workers
• Advocate Volunteers
• Human Services Workers
• Clergy
• Care-givers for the elderly or chronically ill
• Law enforcement and military personnel

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What are emotional effects

• Apathy/Lassitude
• Mood Disturbances (Labilty)
• Irritability/Discontentment
• Poor Concentration/Attention/Memory
• Hopelessness/Helplessness/Numbness
• Aggression/Hostility

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What are the physical effects

• Physical complaints (fatigue, sleep disturbances,
  headache and chronic pain)
• Increased substance misuse
• Poor self-care

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What are the institutional effects

• High Absenteeism
• Inability of staff to complete tasks
• Reduced willingness to work together in teams
• Lack of flexibility
• Negativism towards management and clients
• Lack of vision for the future

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Healing Compassion Fatigue

• Get support
• Improve self-care (exercise, nutrition, sleep
  hygiene and meditation)
• Clarify personal boundaries
• Exchange information and feelings with people who
  can validate you.
• Do your own work
• Recognize your limitations
• Forgive yourself and others
• Live a balanced life sing, dance and sit in
  silence

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• In my lifetime I hope to develop-
• Arms that are strong
• Hands that are gentle
• Ears that will listen
• Eyes that are kind
• A tongue that will speak softly
• A mind full of wisdom
• And a heart that understands
• Namaste