The Canadian Medical Association defines compassion fatigue as “the cost of caring for others or for their emotional pain, resulting from the desire to help relieve the suffering of others.” Also called vicarious or secondary trauma, compassion fatigue occurs when you take on someone else’s trauma as your own. People who suffer from this condition might struggle to provide patient care or perform other duties. In veterinary medicine, compassion fatigue can creep up when a doctor has performed repeated euthanasias or seen numerous cases with bad outcomes.
Risk Factors
Professionals who are repeatedly exposed to other people’s trauma are especially vulnerable to compassion fatigue. They might experience acute symptoms that put their physical and mental health at risk. Risk factors for developing compassion fatigue include:
- High stress.
- Poor coping skills.
- Insufficient social support.
- Neglect of self-care.
- History of personal trauma.
Veterinarians who are empathetic to their patients’ or clients’ suffering might experience heartbreak and devastation, especially when trauma is repetitive or extreme. This can lead to total exhaustion of their mental and physical state. Some veterinarians might lose their ability to be compassionate while providing care as a result.
Signs of Compassion Fatigue
Signs of compassion fatigue are similar to burnout but differ in important ways. They include neglect of self-care, exhaustion, disrupted sleep, anxiety, headaches, stomach upset, irritability, numbness, a decreased sense of purpose, emotional disconnection, self-contempt, and difficulties with personal relationships. People might struggle to forget the disturbing images or events that triggered the condition. Feeling overwhelmed and exhausted by work demands is also common. The volatile emotions that arise, such as increased anxiety, sadness, anger, and irritability, can make client interactions go awry.
Tools like the Professional Quality of Life Scale (ProQOL), a self-assessment questionnaire that measures compassion satisfaction, burnout, and compassion fatigue, can help you recognize the condition. You can access the ProQOL at https://proqol.org/proqol-measure.
How to Overcome Compassion Fatigue
To restore a sense of professional and personal balance, individuals with compassion fatigue must embrace self-care, boundary setting, and support from others. Strategies include:
- Practicing mindfulness.
- Maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
- Engaging in activities that replenish emotional energy.
- Seeking professional help when needed.
Because stress is one of the primary causes of compassion fatigue, learning how to effectively manage and reduce stress levels is essential. Physical activity is also a great way to relieve stress and boost endorphins, and it promotes more restful sleep. Self-compassion is also critical for overcoming compassion fatigue. Being kind to yourself through positive affirmations and validating your own feelings is fundamental to self-compassion. Through these efforts, you can conquer compassion fatigue.
Related Reading
- Veterinary Wellness Briefs: Volunteerism and Mental Health
- Compassion Fatigue for Equine Veterinarians
- Vet Wellness Briefs: Simple Ways to Feel Better
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