Compassion Fatigue

Archana M.R
Page No. 17-19

Compassion fatigue, also known as secondary traumatic stress disorder, occurs from repeated exposure to people who experience trauma. It is often confused with burnout, but while burnout is due to stress at work, compassion fatigue is due to emotional exhaustion by helping others in distress. This condition is particularly common in health care professionals, social workers, emergency managers and those caring for survivors of trauma. Symptoms include cognitive, emotional, behavioural, spiritual and physical distress that may impair daily functioning. Risk factors include the history of personal trauma, lack of social support, and high level of professional stress. Effective treatment involves self-care, professional support, balanced work and family integration and institutional strategies to promote resilience among caregivers. Addressing the fatigue of compassion through awareness, adaptation strategies and organizational interventions is essential to the well-being of those who support traumatized survivors.
Key words: Compassion fatigue, Stress disorder, Burnout, Mental health, Health care providers, trauma.