Family caregivers devote so much of themselves to the ones they care for – both physically and emotionally. It’s easy to become wiped out and to begin to experience feelings such as indifference, exhaustion, and a withdrawal from the person in your care. Known as compassion fatigue or secondary traumatic stress, it can be detrimental to your own wellbeing but can also influence your ability to be as caring, warm, and nurturing as you need to be for the person in your care.
As opposed to caregiver burnout, which develops gradually over time, compassion fatigue can arise suddenly and unexpectedly. You may truly want to continue providing care and support, but you basically feel too weighed down.
If you are experiencing any of the symptoms below, compassion fatigue could be the reason:
- Exhaustion (physically, mentally, or both)
- Dreading your care obligations, along with feelings of guilt
- Irritability, anger, and/or anxiety
- Headaches
- Problems with sleeping
- Reduced feelings of empathy or sympathy for the person in your care
- Isolation and disconnection from family, friends, and pleasant activities
- Difficulties with other relationships
- Decision-making difficulties
- Second-guessing whether you’re achieving anything with your caregiving work
How to Alleviate Compassion Fatigue
If the emotions outlined above match what you’re experiencing, there are actions you can take to help.
- Place a numeric value on your feelings. Perform a simple self-assessment by ranking how you’re feeling every day on a scale of 1 – 10. If you find your answers in the 9 – 10 range of compassion fatigue signs, schedule an appointment with a professional counselor.
- Take time for self-care. Taking care of yourself is not self-centered; it’s essential for your own health as well as the health and wellbeing of the person in your care. Make it a priority each day to take part in pleasant activities, physical exercise, healthy eating, and conversations with friends and relatives.
- Obtain support. Connect with a caregiver support group, whether in person or online, to allow you to work through your feelings with people who understand and can share coping strategies that have worked well for them.
- Journal. Journaling is a wonderful way to let go of stress and sort through overwhelming emotions and decisions. Reading back over your entries will allow you to pick up on any patterns in your thoughts. Maybe you feel most worn down late in the day, and can set aside a few minutes each day at that time to meditate, pray, listen to calming music, take a walk – whatever works best to help you de-stress.
At Compassionate Care Home Health Services, the leading provider of home health care in Traverse City and the surrounding areas, we’re on hand to help you overcome compassion fatigue by serving as a trusted partner in care. Our full range of customized in-home care services provides seniors with the joy of a friendly companion, while giving you much-needed time to yourself. Contact us at 877.308.1212 to learn more!