Compassion Fatigue, also known as Secondary Traumatic Stress, occurs when caregivers or professionals (e.g., therapists, nurses, social workers) become emotionally and physically exhausted due to continuous exposure to others’ suffering or trauma.
Key Points:
- Symptoms: Emotional numbness, reduced empathy, exhaustion, irritability, feeling overwhelmed or helpless.
- Risk Factors: High caseloads, lack of self-care, limited support systems, previous unresolved trauma.
- Prevention & Management: Self-care strategies, peer support, setting emotional boundaries, supervision, and, if necessary, professional counseling.
- Distinction: Different from Burnout in that it specifically involves emotional distress from empathizing with traumatized individuals.
