Dealing with Burnout and Compassion Fatigue
Burnout is a condition which is generally related to the stress and environment of a job role. Burnout can leave someone feeling emotionally depleted and may result in decreased energy left to function at work or to enjoy a personal life. Compassion fatigue is similar in the sense that a person’s emotional reserves are depleted to the point of reduced compassion or empathy for others, which might be out of character. However, compassion fatigue is generally related to repeated stress and/or trauma exposure.
Signs to look out for:
Emotional:
Reduced empathy and compassion at work and in personal life
Dread
Pessimism
Irritability
Hypervigilance
Difficulty concentrating and remembering
Poorer judgement
Reduced empathy at work and in personal life
Overly sensitive
Behavioural:
Argumentative
Isolation
Excessive substance use
Poor sleep
Repeated mistakes at work
Issues with productivity
Frequent sick days
Lack of self-care
Physical:
Feeling run-down
Nausea
Increased heart rate
Fatigue
Muscle tension
Increased aches and pains
Tension headaches
Spiritual:
Existential questioning
Lack of meaning
Lack of purpose
Lack of satisfaction
Lack of identity
Factors that contribute:
Unhealthy work environments: receiving repeated hostility, humiliating experiences, aggression, micromanagement, excessively critical feedback, undefined role structure, being overworked and a lack of support
Stagnation: lack of learning, challenge or growth
Perfectionism
People pleasing
Taking on a rescuer role
Self-sacrifice
Excessive sense of responsibility
Excessive need for control
Expecting a job role to fix personal problems or emotional needs: wounded healer
Supports available:
Therapy: Talk to Tim or Katherine at In Bloom Psychology to discuss concerns about burnout or compassion fatigue. Seeking support can help identify and manage early signs before symptoms escalate, and increase satisfaction in work and personal life.
Supervision: Seek supervision with a senior peer in your field to debrief and reduce work related stressors. Katherine provides supervision for psychologists.
Discuss your concerns with your workplace manager or Human Resources to adjust work hours, your role (reduce stress or trauma exposure) or increase support if you are in an unhealthy work environment.
Contact your GP if you need sick leave for rest, recuperation, and restoration.
Work Safe Victoria: if you have serious concerns about an unhealthy work environment and your concerns have not been effectively addressed by your workplace when you have raised them.
Written by Tim and Katherine Bonaldi
References:
Mel Johns (Social worker and Educator): mherc.org.nz
https://proqol.org/
Simpson, S., Simionato, G., Smout, M. (2018). Burnout amongst clinical and counselling psychologist: The role of early maladaptive schemas and coping modes as vulnerability factors. Clin Psychol Psychother. 2019;26:35–46.