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Compassion fatigue is a real problem that can affect a wide range of professions as well as caregivers. It can be sudden & unpredictable but it is highly treatable.
Common symptoms include:
Chronic physical and emotional exhaustion
Irritability
Feelings of self-contempt
Difficulty sleeping
Weight loss
Headaches
Have you suffered from compassion fatigue – or are you struggling now?
Common symptoms include:
Chronic physical and emotional exhaustion
Irritability
Feelings of self-contempt
Difficulty sleeping
Weight loss
Headaches
Have you suffered from compassion fatigue – or are you struggling now?
Compassion Fatigue
Posted from goodtherapy.org
Operation Family Caregiver
Caregiver
Veteran Caregiver
Stress
Posted 5 y ago
Responses: 1
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I’m a caregiver for my wife....have been since 2013. I complete understand the complete range of physical, emotional & mental challenges you’ve outlined. To which I’d add there are rewards, too. It’s not a completely negative experience. There are numerous logistical, strategic & tactical solutions adapted to each particular circumstance & each of those solutions cannot be static: they must be adaptable as the situation demands.
Not surprisingly, after 36 to 48 months of what I call “adaptive caregiving”, during which the caregiver must rely on the sum total of all the mental & physical resources they’ve developed over their lifetimes to bring to bear on their role........well, there’s no gentle way to put it: they’re going to experience burnout, continuously “running on empty”, or “running on fumes”.
I use a bonded & insured caregiving agency to send someone to help me on a periodic basis. After all, the caregiver has to pay bills, do the shopping, clean the house, wash the dishes or the clothes. Sometimes, there’s technical issues I need to be on the phone with someone about, there vehicle requires maintenance.....and on and on and on.
Daily, the caregiver has to be up late at night.
Yes, I know the ABCs of caregiving. It’s a full time job with lots of overtime & no kudos.
Not surprisingly, after 36 to 48 months of what I call “adaptive caregiving”, during which the caregiver must rely on the sum total of all the mental & physical resources they’ve developed over their lifetimes to bring to bear on their role........well, there’s no gentle way to put it: they’re going to experience burnout, continuously “running on empty”, or “running on fumes”.
I use a bonded & insured caregiving agency to send someone to help me on a periodic basis. After all, the caregiver has to pay bills, do the shopping, clean the house, wash the dishes or the clothes. Sometimes, there’s technical issues I need to be on the phone with someone about, there vehicle requires maintenance.....and on and on and on.
Daily, the caregiver has to be up late at night.
Yes, I know the ABCs of caregiving. It’s a full time job with lots of overtime & no kudos.
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Tiffany Bodge
Thank you for your response AB Edward Mondini and I agree that caregiving has both positive and negative aspects. I think sometimes we forget that we must take care of ourselves in addition to our care recipient. This article was merely a reminder to be aware of this very real byproduct of caregiving. Thank you for all you do for your wife.
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