Compassion Fatigue |
One of the re-emerging health concerns during these days of
economic struggle and its mental and spiritual stress is compassion fatigue.
Compassion fatigue is what occurs to a caregiver when they have given too much.
A person can succumb to anxiety and depression. The caregiver might have
survivors’ guilt that the condition of concern happened to someone else and not
to me. Care giving can become routine or even a burden for the caregiver. The
caregiver may no longer have the energy to provide the care. The caregiver may
experience hopelessness. Another form is the fatigue that lies in having to tell
someone their job=2 0is over and in being able to do it with care and grace.
Another form of care giving under this kind of stress is the adult in the family
who must, with care, share with their family that related to the current
economic crisis their family faces and unforeseeable and unavoidable change.
Giving too much, being around traumatic situations, can take a toll on the
people whose job or desire is to be generous, altruistic, simply want to lend a
helping hand. With the stories of how this economy, whether or not the auto
companies will survive, how long will the shut down be, will I be effected in
the next round of job cuts, will I loose my mortgage, and numerous other
tragedies which are reported, some can almost become addicted to the news,
fearing that they cannot be in the dark about the tragedies which are occurring.
Healthcare professionals can be afflicted by this condition. Human Resource
people in corporations and management and others involved in sharing lay off
notices can be afflicted. Many who spend20time as caregivers for older persons,
those who are very sick or have a debilitating condition, may also suffer from
compassion fatigue. It is an understandable condition which warrants attention
and self care for the person who is experiencing it.
A person struggling with compassion fatigue is exhausted. The energy, interest,
talents, and professional skills, the simple desire to help, are all in need of
rest. This is not a moral or religious issue. It is not wrong or a sin to run
out of the energy to care. It can be a moral or spiritual issue of a sort, as
well as an overall health issue, if one does not listen to what is going on
within and become aware of the clues that it is time to take a break. When you
feel you can give care no longer you may need a break.
Some of the things to do are to avoid traumatic stories on TV; don’t stay glued
to the TV. Take time for self care, both physically and spiritually. Find fun
and restful activities. Look for signs of hope, in skills your kids might be
learning, in a new adventure which you might take to a new museum, play or
musical. You may literally need time away, whether it is a vacation, a
sabbatical, or leave of absence. Home care givers need respite care for
themselves so that they can spend time away from their care receiver while
someone else takes over. It is always important to talk about these feelings
with a friend, colleague, religious leader, your spouse, or other close family
member. In severe cases you could consult a professional. The point is that
caregivers are just the people who both want, and because of who they are, the
care receiver needs. Those who must share the news with colleagues that they no
longer have a job are also worn out, perhaps angry, perhaps even guilty because
they have a job. &nbs p; Giving and being generous are central to many of our
faith traditions. But, it, too, needs to be nurtured. Take care of yourself so
you can continue to take of the world which you have been given.
Dr. Paul J. Melrose is Executive Director at the Samaritan Counseling Center of
SE Michigan. He can be reached through www.paulmelrose.com,
www.samaritancounselingmichigan.com or 248-474-4701. The staff of the Samaritan
Counseling Center can be reached at www.samaritancounselingmichigan.com or
248-474-4701.