Hey there,
I know it feels like our world is currently taking a beating down, considering all that’s happening, with what seems like an increase in the amount of trauma and tragedy that we are collectively being exposed to, directly and indirectly. There is almost no escape from the emotional bombardment to which we will respond in very distinct ways.
In light of this reality, I think it is important to bring awareness to the phenomenon of Compassion fatigue.
Compassion fatigue, often referred to as Secondary Traumatic Stress has been described as the “cost of caring” for others in emotional and physical pain (Figley, 1982). Generally attributed to individuals in helping professions, it is characterized by feelings of deep physical and emotional exhaustion, a pronounced change in their ability to feel empathy for their patients, their loved ones, and their co-workers. The most insidious aspect of compassion fatigue is that it attacks the very core of what drives most people into the helping profession: their empathy and compassion for others.
As conflicting as it sounds, it is perspicuous, as our minds are by default wired to protect us against trauma by employing various coping or defense mechanisms based on a varied number of interacting factors, some of these mechanisms will be more adaptive than others.
Compassion fatigue can be thought of as a response and defense against emotional stress; essentially the repeated exposure to negative, horrifying stimuli can lead to desensitization, resulting in increasingly emotionally blunt reactions to newer, identical stimuli.
So the next time you wonder how the very people (nurses, mental health professionals, police officers) who are supposed to be the kindest and most patient are exhibiting seemingly contrary behaviors, it may be useful to consider compassion fatigue as one of the factors responsible.
Our awareness of this process is even more vital now as it seems that we are constantly being plagued with news of negative occurrences from almost all angles. There is the tendency for continuous exposure to this sort of stimuli to make us feel less compassionate, to feel numb the next time we hear something that ordinarily should break our hearts, leading to feelings of guilt, being so mentally exhausted that we begin to think that we have lost our ability to truly empathize.
There are diverse perspectives on the topic of compassion fatigue, as is with many other concepts in Psychology; many questions remain to be explored empirically. Research, however, suggests that compassion fatigue stems from a desire to help: “there is no compassion fatigue without compassion”. There is the notion that the impact of frequent exposures to the tragic realities of our world will vary based on our perceived ability to help.
For instance, in the medical scene, caregivers seeing a person suffering and wanting to help but ultimately being unable to, can launch a series of processes leading to feelings associated with compassion fatigue in them. More generally, hearing the news of senseless mass killings and horrific tragedies that move us emotionally but feeling endlessly helpless can cause us to display symptoms of emotional fatigue. As a result, we may become passive in the face of trauma almost reflexively neglecting it to preserve our mental health.
I am writing this because it is okay to feel this way, it is understandable. Again, from what we know about Human Psychology, being able to identify a mental process while it is occurring is the key to mastering it and managing it for more adaptive, healthy living. A vital step is to know that something like this is out there and that it can affect us as well as the people around us. We are therefore able to take steps to arm ourselves with information that helps us grow beyond mere stimulus-response reactions and the use of less adaptive defense mechanisms.
The way I see it, there is no need trying to shy away from the pain or to pretend like terrible things aren’t happening because they are. Even now, even as I type these words, people just like you and I are being broken in ways unimaginable, and it really could be anybody.
I know that having to constantly receive devastating news is uncomfortable and hard. I am writing this for myself as much as you. I am sorry that it is so hard and overwhelming; you have every right to feel all the streams of emotions that you do, even when it feels like nothing.
Nonetheless, do not stay quiet for too long, fight and speak up in whatever way(s) you can. There is always something to do; share a well-informed post on an important topic, donate to notable causes, be the change you want to see, call out predators of any kind when you can and PRAY.
Stay aware and in touch with your humanity,
Be gentle with yourself.
Again, pray.
And whatever you do,
Don’t Fold.
References & Further Reading:
Compassion Fatigue – Good Therapy.org Therapy Blog
Too Much Tragedy Making You “Heartworn” – Weary of Compassion?
Beaumont, E., Durkin, M., Hollins Martin, C.J., Carson, J. (2016). Measuring relationships between self-compassion, compassion fatigue, burnout and well-being in trainee counsellors and trainee cognitive behavioural psychotherapists: a quantitative survey. Counselling and Psychotherapy Research. 16(1): 15–23.
Running on Empty: Compassion Fatigue in Health Professionals by Françoise Mathieu, M.Ed., CCC. Compassion Fatigue Specialist (Published in Rehab & Community Care Medicine, Spring 2007)
