How Caregivers Can Cope with Compassion Fatigue
What is Compassion Fatigue?
Compassion fatigue is a condition that causes emotional and physical exhaustion, and which reduces the ability to feel sympathy or compassion for others, also known as the negative cost of caring and sometimes referred to as secondary traumatic stress (STS). Burnout and secondary traumatic stress are two interweaving factors of compassion fatigue.
Compassion fatigue is a consequence of working directly with victims of accidents, trauma, or diseases, particularly in the healthcare sector. Some examples of workers that may experience it are child welfare personnel, vet workers, teachers, palliative care workers, journalists, police officers, firefighters, workers in animal welfare, public librarians, health service coordinators, and professionals in student affairs. Non-professionals, such as family members and other informal carers, may also have tiredness due to compassion.
Compassion Fatigue Vs. Burnout
Compassion Fatigue
Compassion Fatigue (CF) refers to the deeper emotional and physical erosions aid workers experience by not being able to replenish and regenerate their energy, and it can also be related to Vicarious Trauma (VT), a term coined by Pearlman & Saakvitne (1995). Vicarious trauma means that a drastic change to the global perspective of a caregiver has occurred while they were taking care of people with traumatic disorders. People suffering from compassion fatigue note that they are changed and potentially impaired to their basic confidence in the universe by continually being subjected to trauma.
Burnout
Since the early 1980s, burnout has been described as the physical and emotional fatigue that employees have when they feel poorly fulfilled and weak and frustrated at work. In contrast with compassion fatigue, burnout does not necessarily mean that our worldview has been damaged or that we have lost the capacity for others to feel compassion.
Common Signs of Compassion Fatigue
It is necessary to identify early warning signs and take the first action. Compassion fatigue may harm and affect personal, social, occupational, and psychological conditions such as depression, anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, and substance use. Some common signs of compassion fatigue are:
- Less sympathy and empathy
- Irritability
- Bad sleep
- Losing interest in caregiving
- Feeling guilty and need of quitting
- Problems in personal life/relationships
Coping with Compassion Fatigue
Learn The Early Warning Signs
You can help avoid and control compassion fatigue if you know the signs and symptoms and evaluate yourself. Many people consider it an efficient method to measure their degree of compassion fatigue as 1-10. For instance, a ranking of six could mean you have decreased social skills because you feel drained, and a rank of seven could be difficult to sleep because of excessive concerns about someone else's welfare. Cultivating a high level of self-awareness and understanding that your six is different from your seven can help caregivers measure how to implement the strategies necessary to avoid a red zone that is likely to be nine or ten. Caregivers should have this in mind every time they start feeling uneasy and uncomfortable with their work. Next are some tips every caregiver should consider to ease fatigue and anxiety:
Prioritize Self-Care
Practicing self-care is a critical way to protect caregivers from compassion fatigue. It is not unusual for those who always care about others' needs to forget about doing the same with themselves.
Those who practice good self-care are much less vulnerable than those who fail to do so. Each person can have its good self-care regime, but overall, it should usually include:
- A healthy diet
- Plentiful rest and sleep
- Making time for yourself only
- Asking for help
- Taking breaks from caregiving
Practicing these is not the only thing a caregiver in distress should aim to do, but other activities that, besides helping them physically, may help them emotionally by keeping the soul intact. Some of those activities are:
Regular exercise
With long-term care issues, self-care is essential. It keeps caregivers safe emotionally and physically and protects them from compassion fatigue. Some people may feel egotistical for taking time for themselves, but they’re 100% wrong, as a person that feels down, exhausted, and bad-tempered, always needs to take a break from taking care of the elderly. A caregiver can reach its full potential when feeling healthy and content. Regular exercise is vital to keep the energy flowing, at least 3-4 times per week. It doesn't have to be an extreme sport; spinning, light cardio, or taking long walks will do.
Spend time with friends and family
Although it's great to have good relationships with staff and the elderly under their charge, building and maintaining healthy relationships outside of employment is equally important. Even outside the workplace, it can sometimes be hard for caregivers to avoid talking about work. It can offer emotional and professional relief to connect with friends who are not aware of the ins and outs of their situation at work. Elderly caregivers should be able to free themselves and have a fun time with friends and family.
Join A Support Group
Caregiver support groups dealing with similar situations are filled with people that genuinely understand burnout or compassion fatigue. Caregivers can significantly improve their quality of life by being part of online or in-person support groups, which will make them feel less alone in their struggle by getting advice in difficult situations that provokes them frustration. Ways to cope, friendly advice, and more, are part of the benefits of joining a support group.
Find A Creative Outlet
Creative activities help caregivers, or any other experiencing fatigue, cope with negative feelings, sometimes even more than physical exercise. This is why it’s crucial caregivers know they can express their worries and feelings through creativity. One popular option is writing in a journal, as it is a significant stress management strategy that is ideal for carers. Putting thoughts and emotions down on paper and out of mind is highly therapeutic. Journaling helps express thoughts and feelings and helps find answers to problems or make difficult choices.
Make Time For Your Hobbies
There were interests and things people enjoyed before being a caregiver. Having time out for such situations is a perfect way to take a break from work and stop worrying about the care receiver. Making time for hobbies increases the quality of life and decreases the risk of tiredness, as it's a fun and innovative thing to do just for yourself, and it's not connected to any treatment, workplace, or chores. Managing the work-life balance is excellent for caregivers to set limits and don't overcommit.
Visit a Therapist
When rates of compassion fatigue rise, speaking to a counselor or therapist will bring relief. Therapists help people deal with negative thoughts, stress, depression, anxiety, significant changes in life, and more. A therapist will guide a caregiver into successful ways of reducing tiredness and anxiety and handling the hard feelings that come with being a carer. Calling for professional assistance is highly recommended.
Summary
In conclusion, caregivers shouldn’t give all their energy and strength to taking care of others. Their work is their work, and their personal life is completely detached from it. We understand these worries; this is why at Right At Home, we make sure all of our caregivers maintain their peace of mind by not letting them carry all the weight in their shoulders. Call Right At Home for staff information and how they can help your loved one live their best life.
