Compassion Fatigue & Burnout

Compassion fatigue and burnout are emotional and physical responses to ongoing stress, in cases related to helping others in distress. Compassion fatigue, sometimes called secondary traumatic stress, happens when repeated exposure to others’ trauma begins to take a personal toll. Burnout, on the other hand, is emotional and mental exhaustion that builds up from chronic stress, often affecting motivation, focus, and overall well-being.

Those who have difficulty delegating tasks, have a lack of work life balance, or simply hold an intense work load are at higher risk of developing compassion fatigue or burnout. Many people struggle with one, if not multiple risk factors of compassion fatigue and burnout. Knowing what to look for as well as how to get ahead of symptoms is vital for self-care and a more fulfilled life.

While anyone can experience burnout, compassion fatigue is especially common among caregivers, healthcare workers, educators, and first responders. Both compassion fatigue and burnout can cause symptoms such as irritability, fatigue, isolation, and difficulty concentrating. That said, recovery is achievable. Treatments such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT) and mindfulness can help, along with strong self-care habits like setting boundaries, staying active, and managing stress.

Organizations can also play a big role by supporting manageable workloads and creating positive, healthy environments that help prevent compassion fatigue and burnout. Learning where to access these organizations is important to utilizing their tools and guidance in navigating compassion fatigue and burnout. To learn more about compassion fatigue and burnout, prevention, symptoms and support, read more in the brochure created by Jenna Worton: Compassion Fatigue and Burnout Information