Compassion Fatigue Vs. Burnout.
While Compassion Fatigue is
similar to Burnout, which it is often compared to, it very different. Burnout
can occur in any profession and is often connected to long work hours, work
load, poor pay, lack of professional recognition and low job satisfaction.
Burnout often results in physical and mental exhaustion, negativity towards the
work, clients and themselves. Those experiencing Burnout often leave jobs they
feel lack purpose or meaning, which they are
unsatisfied with in general.
Compassion Fatigue has been described as the “cost of caring” for others in emotional pain (Figley, 1982). Compassion Fatigue is specific condition common among individuals who are either consistently exposed to trauma or work directly with trauma victims. Those suffering from Compassion Fatigue are impacted by work with clients where compassion/empathy are necessary tool of the profession, care or advocacy work. Compassion Fatigue often has no connection to feeling unsatisfied with the actual profession, or even the clients or patients they serve. There is a kind of emotional contagion which occurs due to secondary trauma (caused by bearing witness to the trauma of those they are caring for) and burnout combined. This secondary or vicarious traumatization is a negative transformation in the self of the trauma worker or helper, which is a result of empathic engagement with the person or animal which is traumatized. Think of the last time you watched the news and saw a story which disturbed you greatly and stayed with you for days. Perhaps to such an extent that it caused you initially to get up and turn the television off. For those who work in the helping professions, including First Responders, Nurses, Doctors, Veterinarians, Psychologists, Therapists, those who work in animal care, animal advocacy and rescue, or for those who work in social justice and even home care providers, there is no opportunity to just turn the television off. This is the world they must function in, every day. Our programs were designed to ensure those who show so much compassion and care for others, can begin the journey of healing and caring for themselves, in a soul supportive and nurturing environment.
Article for more information: http://www.compassionfatigue.org/pages/compassionfatigue.html
