Transcript Compassion Fatigue - Claudette D. Johnson

WHAT IS COMPASSION FATIGUE?
A reaction experienced by care givers who suffer
trauma from the event(s) that have
traumatized their patients.
It is NOT “Burnout”, which results from increased
workload and institutional stress.
It is NOT “Countertransference”.which refers to
how our patients affect our lives, our social
networks, our work, and our relationships.
Countertransference may co-occur with
Compassion Fatigue, however.
WHO GETS IT?
Nurses
Doctors
Chaplains
Para
professional
s
Volunteers
Paramedics
Grave
workers
Police
Firefighters
Murder
Investigator
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
 Spontaneous crying
spells---”for no reason”
 Irritable
outbursts/Impatience
 Difficulty concentrating
 Chronically late for
work
 Depression
 Disturbed sleep
 Nightmares
 Alcohol abuse/drug
abuse
Bystanders guilt
Rage
Grief
Dread
Anxiety
Numbing—”I have
nothing left to give.”
Detached from the
world around you.
 Panic attacks
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WHAT CAN BE DONE?
 First recognize that Compassion Fatigue is NOT a
“mental illness”
 Accept support and non-judgmental listening when
offered
 Avoid negative people
 Exercise, get out doors
 Make the opportunity to leave the ICU, ER, etc., and go
see the progress soldiers are making in Physical Therapy
and Occupational Therapy
 Take turns with the most stressful, sad tasks, like calling
the patient's family
 Staff Support Groups