Compassion Fatigue
Compassion fatigue, also known as secondary traumatic stress (STS), is a condition of gradual lessening of compassion over time (Sabo, 2011). It is common among individuals who work directly with victims of trauma like nurses, psychologists, physicians, cancer-care providers, emergency room personnel, chaplains, and other healthcare professionals. Nurses intend to provide compassionate and empathetic care to patients but become victims of continuous stress while meeting the needs of the clients and their families (Lombardo & Eyre, 2011).
Warning signs for compassion fatigue
Caregivers place the patient’s needs ahead of their own needs hence are more prone to distress (Chase, 2005). General symptoms affect physical, psychological/emotional, behavioral, professional, and spiritual functions (Aycock & Boyle, 2009). Compassion fatigue is reflected by weakness, dizziness, fatigue, and hypertension. Frequent head, back, and muscle aches persist with rapid pulse and gastrointestinal complaints. The reduced resistance to infections led to frequent illnesses and sleep deprivation (Boyle, 2011). The manifestations of psychological emotions include a sense of apathy, frustration, boredom, depression, and hopelessness with a sense of low personal accomplishment, poor concentration, isolation, irritation, and anxiety. There is a tendency of avoiding intense patient situations with criticism and depersonalizing patients (Aycock & Boyle, 2009). Sarcasm, cynicism, absenteeism, and stereotyped communications are the symptoms affecting behavior. There is a paramount tendency for abuse of chemicals and self medication. Spiritually withdraw from fellowship and project poor judgment towards existential issues. There is lack of interest in introspection and doubt value systems or beliefs drawing conclusions that a major change is necessary. Professionally, intense patient situations are avoided with tardiness, diminished performances and impersonal communications. They exhibit a
Warning signs for compassion fatigue
Caregivers place the patient’s needs ahead of their own needs hence are more prone to distress (Chase, 2005). General symptoms affect physical, psychological/emotional, behavioral, professional, and spiritual functions (Aycock & Boyle, 2009). Compassion fatigue is reflected by weakness, dizziness, fatigue, and hypertension. Frequent head, back, and muscle aches persist with rapid pulse and gastrointestinal complaints. The reduced resistance to infections led to frequent illnesses and sleep deprivation (Boyle, 2011). The manifestations of psychological emotions include a sense of apathy, frustration, boredom, depression, and hopelessness with a sense of low personal accomplishment, poor concentration, isolation, irritation, and anxiety. There is a tendency of avoiding intense patient situations with criticism and depersonalizing patients (Aycock & Boyle, 2009). Sarcasm, cynicism, absenteeism, and stereotyped communications are the symptoms affecting behavior. There is a paramount tendency for abuse of chemicals and self medication. Spiritually withdraw from fellowship and project poor judgment towards existential issues. There is lack of interest in introspection and doubt value systems or beliefs drawing conclusions that a major change is necessary. Professionally, intense patient situations are avoided with tardiness, diminished performances and impersonal communications. They exhibit a