Caregivers: Are You Experiencing Compassion Fatigue?

Compassion fatigue is when caregivers begin to physically and emotionally feel the suffering of the people for whom they care for. Compassion fatigue is also when caregivers mirror the suffering of patients. The symptoms can be experienced physically, but caregivers are usually suffering the emotional pain of their patients. This can happen rapidly to caregivers if:

• they have a sudden influx of critically ill patients

• life and workloads become overwhelming

• they do not have the knowledge or supplies to care for their patients

• their patients frequently die

Caregivers start to feel as if they are not doing enough to help. They can also feel that they are not skilled enough to care for their patients. These feelings lead to caregivers becoming focused on trying to assist. Their personal lives begin to be affected by their emotional struggle to help their patients. Caregivers can become emotionally distraught with people whom they perceive are contributing to their patients' suffering.

Caregivers can suffer in different ways but common symptoms may include:

• irritability

• tearfulness

• restlessness

• depression

• loss of appetite

• sleep loss

• headaches

Caregivers can also emotionally become distant from their partners, lose interest in sexual activity, and become intensely focused on their patients' issues.

Compassion Fatigue can often get confused with burn out, however, there are distinct differences.

Compassion Fatigue can happen very quickly (within 1 month) and is usually found with people who work with patients that are suffering. Charles R. Figley has done extensive work on the topic of Compassion Fatigue.

You can take this Self Test to determine if you could be suffering from Compassion Fatigue. This is a treatable condition and the best indicator for recovery is awareness ❤.

LINK TO: Compassion Fatigue Self Test

If you feel you may benefit from speaking with a therapist, please contact us to request an appointment.

Karen Peabody, LICSW is a therapist and business consultant for social workers and therapists interested in starting their private practice. She founded Forgewell Solutions in East Bridgewater, MA. Her office is a great place to start a private practice. Visit her FOR THERAPISTS page to learn more.

Self Care Tips: Being Well During Quarantine with Kat Frumin, LICSW

Watch our video with therapist Kat Frumin, LICSW of Forgewell Solutions in East Bridgewater, MA. Kat discusses 3 tips to maintaining self care during quarantine as well as everyday life. Especially during times of stress when our mental health may be suffering, we should begin to identify what self care means to each of us. Finding new ways to participate in self care is extremely important.

If you feel you may benefit from therapy, please contact us to make an appointment. We also offer teletherapy appointments online. Visit: www.forgewellsolutions.com/kat-frumin to read more. Or contact Kat Frumin directly: 617-657-9389 or kat@katfruminlicsw.com

Finding Empathy in a Climate of Self Absorption

It is no secret the world is struggling. People are at their wit's end, divided by politics, preference, and personal agenda. It is easy to lash out, projecting our fears and helplessness into anger towards our opposition. We see this displayed in the media and on the internet. It has become an expected exchange. These interactions have seemed to have even lost the intent to inform, sway, or educate. The exchange is to emotionally harm the other side. The words slice the victim and retaliation is the only recourse... the rock fight continues. You have witnessed these exchanges, maybe even found yourself caught in the cross-hairs of verbal warfare. If you have found yourself enraged at others for their opinions, there is a clinical term for that, "Self Absorption". Self Absorption is the lack of empathy and identification to the outside world thus creating a limited perspective. This perspective is cast onto the world and the people in it. The lack of empathy is the driving force with this concept. This factor prohibits higher-level brain activity, mainly the mirror neurons. Mirror neurons trigger empathy. Empathy is a concept that allows people to feel what other people are feeling. This is a human connection that allows you to emotionally be present with anyone. You do not have to agree with why they feel the feelings, you are just bearing witness to someone and acknowledging their feelings. To allow people to be seen and support allows people to create mutual empathy. This is a chain reaction that can be pass through generations, cultures, and political parties. Empathy has no agenda. It is just one of the energetic and emotional ways humans can connect, even when they don't agree.

Karen Peabody, LICSW is a therapist and business consultant for social workers and therapists interested in starting their private practice. She founded Forgewell Solutions in East Bridgewater, MA. Her office is a great place to start a private practice. Visit her FOR THERAPISTS page to learn more.