Compassion Fatigue: The Relationship And Interaction

Compassion Fatigue
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Compassion fatigue presents itself as the gradual lessening of a person’s ability to show compassion while providing clinical care (Coe, 2010).The preoccupation with trauma experienced by patients and the emotional unease is associated with exposure to client suffering on a regular basis and it is further complicated by lacking support at work or at home (Harr, 2013). Nurses working in specialty practice areas such as intensive care, mental health, pediatrics and oncology have particularly high susceptibility to work induced stress including compassion fatigue and burnout (Sabo, 2011). Vulnerability is even higher in individuals that display high levels of empathy towards patients’ pain and suffering. Compassion fatigue stems from the relational connections that caregivers have with patients. The intensity depends on the level of interpersonal intensity and emotional engagement and it is characterized by feelings of emptiness and depletion (Boyle, 2011). It is very crucial for caregivers to have knowledge about compassion fatigue symptoms and how to cope accordingly.
There are some warning signs that caregivers require identifying as indicators of compassion fatigue. Some of the work related warning signs may include reluctance and dread of working with particular patients, the reduced ability to feel empathy towards patients and their families, working harder than usual, ignoring one’s personal needs, increased lateness, absenteeism and sick days as well as a lack of joyfulness (Lombardo, 2011). Compassion fatigue is obvious because they display little or no concern for patients. It occurs because of exhaustion of the emotional resources and decreased work satisfaction (Coetzee & Klopper, 2010).
Warning signs such as complaining, mood swings, depression, irritability, poor concentration, anxiety, restlessness, memory loss, anger, self-medication with alcohol and other addictive behaviors may also indicate that one may be suffering from compassion fatigue (Boyle, 2011). The emotional warning signs may also be combined with a sense of hopelessness, sadness, worthlessness and hostility towards others. Some caregivers also isolate themselves preferring a withdrawn approach to the detriment of teamwork. They may also be extremely irritable, paranoid and constantly blow minor issues out of proportion (Bush, 2009). Physical warning signs of compassion fatigue include headaches, muscle tension, and sleep disturbances such as insomnia, nightmares and too much sleep. Some may experience fatigue, stomach upsets, and cardiac related symptoms such as palpitations (Lombardo, 2011).
Some caregivers experience greater vulnerability to compassion fatigue than others. For instance, caregivers with related personal problems or memories similar to those of their patients are more vulnerable to becoming deeply empathetic. They identify with patients’ problems and are unable to detach work stresses from their personal spheres. They also struggle to adopt a positive outlook and minimize stressful feelings. Caregivers working in end of life care centers also experience elevated levels of stress than other care centers because palliat...