How Do You Cope With Compassion Fatigue?
War, school shootings, natural disasters and a nation in crisis on so many levels has led to the need for medical professionals and psychological therapists/counselors to help those who have experienced these events. Unfortunately, those professionals that are specially trained to help others weather through their ordeals are only human themselves. Often, psychological clinicians and therapists experience something known as compassion fatigue. Compassion fatigue occurs as a result of hearing about and helping those that suffer through traumatic experiences, and is considered to be a secondary-post traumatic stress and also referred to as vicarious traumatization. Symptoms of compassion fatigue are similar to those associated with post-traumatic stress disorder. Since this is a relatively new disorder, it is necessary to learn how to cope with compassion fatigue. Identify the symptoms associated with compassion fatigue. Symptoms include: mood irritability, anxiety, flashbacks, lack of f
