Compassion fatigue 101: Take care of yourself, too

 

Compassion fatigue 101: Take care of yourself, too

AUBURN, Ind. — We all face stress. Those who take care of their friends, families and co-workers may experience extra stress that results in compassion fatigue.

Compassion fatigue is the cost of caring for other people’s emotional pain, said Angela Sorg, Purdue Extension educator in DeKalb County, during a webinar hosted by Purdue Women in Agriculture.

“Compassion fatigue is a profound emotional and physical erosion, when you’re unable to recharge,” she explained. “Compassion fatigue is when you’re absorbing the trauma and emotional stress of others and therefore it changes how you view the world and how you behave.”

Those who work with livestock regularly have to make end of life decisions, which may have an impact on their mental health. They are at a high risk of experiencing compassion fatigue.

“If you are a natural caretaker and you are someone who tends to put yourself aside all the time to take care of others, then you are at a high risk for experiencing compassion fatigue,” Sorg said.

Symptoms of compassion fatigue include feeling burdened by the suffering of others, blaming others for their suffering, isolating yourself, loss of pleasure in your life, difficulty concentrating, insomnia, mental and physical fatigue, bottling up your emotions, increased nightmares, feelings of hopelessness or powerlessness, and more.

Sorg shared self-help strategies and positive coping strategies:

H — Hobbies

E — Exercise

R — Relaxation

D — Diversion

S — Social connectedness

For resources visit www.stress.org or www.heartmindonline.org.