Compassion Fatigue and Self-Care

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Compassion Fatigue and Self-Care

• McGill Counselling Service
• Evelyn Rodinos

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RESOLUTIONS

• Fitness
• Weight Loss
• Drinking/Smoking
• Family/Friends
• Debt Management
• Something New

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Medicine Wheel
SOCIAL
SELF
INTELLECTUAL
EMOTIONAL
PHYSICAL
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Helper Responsibilities

• Listen
• Support
• Manage/Contain/Negotiate
• Mobilize Resources

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Helper Traits

• Empathic, Sensitive
• Generous
• Well-Meaning
• Idealistic
• Self-Sacrificing

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Vulnerability

• Difficulty Acknowledging Needs
• Same Risk Factors
• Exposure
• Questioning
• Resonating

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Compassion Fatigue

• LOW

• HIGH

• Energy
• Enthusiasm
• Motivation
• Empathy
• Performance

• Frustration
• Cynicism
• Negative Emotions
• Conflict/Indifference

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Perfectionists

• All things to all people
• No boundaries
• Sole Problem Fixer
• Difficulty Delegating
• Difficulty Asking for Help

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Dilemma

• SELFLESS vs. SELFISH

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Checklist

• PHYSICAL
• Changes in appetite/sleep
• Increased fatigue/pain
• Decreased immune system
• COGNITIVE
• Difficulty making choices
• Intrusive thoughts
• Decreased processing speed

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Checklist Cont

• BEHAVIOR
• Decreased Energy
• Decreased Work Performance
• Difficulty Connecting
• Conflicts/Withdrawal
• Substance Use

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Checklist Cont

• EMOTIONAL
• Mood Swings
• Anxiety
• Irritability
• Self-Blame
• Numbness
• Detachment

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Boiling Frog Syndrome
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Presentee-ism

• There in body but not in
• Because
• Too Exhausted
• Overwhelmed/Frustrated
• Angry
• Unsupported
• Unexpected Stressors (, health,
  relationships)

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Presentee-ism

• LEADS TO
• Poor Time Management
• Errors in Judgment
• Interpersonal Conflicts
• Reduced Empathy
• Masking Compassion Fatigue

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Balanced Life

• Exercise
• Nutrition
• Sleep
• Social Attachments
• Down Time
• Journaling
• Boundary-Setting

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Wellness Statement

• One way I know I am struggling is
• One way I know I am living a balanced life is
• One self-care strategy I will develop and
  incorporate into my life is

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Supportive Environment

• Appreciation, Recognition
• Professional Support/Supervision
• Training
• Open Communication
• Peer Support

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Peer Support

• Venting
• Social Attachment
• Provides Resources
• Brainstorming Options
• Normalizes Stressors