Signs & Symptoms
...when Compassion Fatigue is evident to you, colleagues or loved ones....
Symptoms
of Compassion Fatigue:
· Accumulation over time.
· Ebb and flow from one day to the next
Physical
● Physical exhaustion (at start of day)
● Insomnia or hypersomnia (difficulty falling asleep, early morning awakening or oversleeping
● Headaches and migraines
● Calling in sick more often
● Somatization and hypochondria
Behavioral
● Increased use of alcohol and drugs and other addictions (i.e., shopping, workaholism, compulsive overeating)
● Missing work
● Anger and irritability (i.e., considered key symptoms of CF- become increasingly bitter at work, may contribute to an already toxic environment.
● Short tempered toward loved ones
● Exaggerated sense of responsibility - becoming increasingly attached to the feeling of being useful and needed.
● Avoidance of clients (not returning clients pc in timely manner, avoiding a difficult client, delaying booking a client who is in crisis)
● Impaired ability to make decisions (also symptom of depression)
● Forgetfulness
● Problems in personal relationships (avoiding social events with friends, not returning phone calls from loved ones because you are too tired or emotionally exhaustion
● Over time, one can become more socially isolated and loose important connections with others.
● Attrition - either by leaving or going on extended sick leave
● Compromised care for clients- loose respectful manner, Lack of personal boundaries. YES
● Silencing Response (Eric Gentry and Anna Baranowsky) we unknowingly silence our clients because the information they are sharing with us is too distressing/overwhelming for us to hear (ie. changing the subject, avoiding the topic, providing pat answers minimizing client distress, boredom, feeling angry with the client, using humor to minimize or change the subject, faking interest, or listening, not believing clients, not able to pay attention to clients.
Psychological Signs and Symptoms
● Emotional exhaustion * hallmark of CF
● Distancing (avoiding friends/family)
● Negative self-image
● Depression
● Reduced ability to feel sympathy and empathy
● Cynicism and embitterment
● Resentment
● Dread of working with specific clients
● Feeling professional helplessness
● Diminished sense of enjoyment/career
● Depersonalization (dissociating during client sessions)
● Disruption of world view/heightened anxiety or irrational fears
● Increased sense of personal vulnerability
● Inability to tolerate strong feelings.
● Problems with intimacy.
● Hypervigilence
● Intrusive imagery- nightmares, flashbacks
● Insensitivity to emotional material
● Loss of hope
● Difficulty separating personal and professional live.
● Failure to nurture and develop non- work related aspects of life
· Accumulation over time.
· Ebb and flow from one day to the next
Physical
● Physical exhaustion (at start of day)
● Insomnia or hypersomnia (difficulty falling asleep, early morning awakening or oversleeping
● Headaches and migraines
● Calling in sick more often
● Somatization and hypochondria
Behavioral
● Increased use of alcohol and drugs and other addictions (i.e., shopping, workaholism, compulsive overeating)
● Missing work
● Anger and irritability (i.e., considered key symptoms of CF- become increasingly bitter at work, may contribute to an already toxic environment.
● Short tempered toward loved ones
● Exaggerated sense of responsibility - becoming increasingly attached to the feeling of being useful and needed.
● Avoidance of clients (not returning clients pc in timely manner, avoiding a difficult client, delaying booking a client who is in crisis)
● Impaired ability to make decisions (also symptom of depression)
● Forgetfulness
● Problems in personal relationships (avoiding social events with friends, not returning phone calls from loved ones because you are too tired or emotionally exhaustion
● Over time, one can become more socially isolated and loose important connections with others.
● Attrition - either by leaving or going on extended sick leave
● Compromised care for clients- loose respectful manner, Lack of personal boundaries. YES
● Silencing Response (Eric Gentry and Anna Baranowsky) we unknowingly silence our clients because the information they are sharing with us is too distressing/overwhelming for us to hear (ie. changing the subject, avoiding the topic, providing pat answers minimizing client distress, boredom, feeling angry with the client, using humor to minimize or change the subject, faking interest, or listening, not believing clients, not able to pay attention to clients.
Psychological Signs and Symptoms
● Emotional exhaustion * hallmark of CF
● Distancing (avoiding friends/family)
● Negative self-image
● Depression
● Reduced ability to feel sympathy and empathy
● Cynicism and embitterment
● Resentment
● Dread of working with specific clients
● Feeling professional helplessness
● Diminished sense of enjoyment/career
● Depersonalization (dissociating during client sessions)
● Disruption of world view/heightened anxiety or irrational fears
● Increased sense of personal vulnerability
● Inability to tolerate strong feelings.
● Problems with intimacy.
● Hypervigilence
● Intrusive imagery- nightmares, flashbacks
● Insensitivity to emotional material
● Loss of hope
● Difficulty separating personal and professional live.
● Failure to nurture and develop non- work related aspects of life