Compassion Fatigue

Overview Caregivers vulnerability to secondary trauma. Factors that cause VT and burnout How to become resilient in the face of overwhelming and emotionally intense demands New ways for caregivers to care for themselves Being accountable to someone who will support you and help you say “no” Planned intentional strategies for “self care”

What is Compassion Fatigue AKA Vicarious or secondary Trauma A syndrome which consists of various symptoms that mirror Post Trauma Stress Disorder(PTSD) PTSD is a disorder that affects people who have experienced extreme traumatic or violent events in their lives. People who have expereienced natural or man made disasters; victims of violent crimes, domestic violence, child sexual or physical abuse. People who develop the disorder report episodes of fear, depression, confusion, helplessness, hopelessness, feeling out of control, extreme mood swings, avoidance, behaviors, etc.

What is Compassion Fatigue Cont’d It is a natural occurrence as the result of pyschic injury and/or life threatening event for most people. People wh develop Compassion Fatigue have not been direct victims of trauma, but have associated with people who have.

Who can get Compassion Fatigue? People who provide care assistance and support to others in pain, either physical or emotional, tend to be empathetic and compassionate. These necessary qualities that help them do their jobs, place them in the direct path of experiencing Compassion Fatigue Many helping parents and professionals as a result of listening to stories or witnessing the aftermath of traumatic events could develop many of the same symptoms associated with PTSD

Burn Out Stems from overwhelming demands of tasks Does not come close to the impact of Vicarious Trauma The distinction is the sympathy/empathy caregivers experience from the suffering of others Where children are concerned, this is often outside of the realm of what we expect as caring human beings

Burn Out Cont' Burn out has a better prognosis for recovery Beware the combination of both Compassion Fatigue and Burn Out Burn out is more about functionality, too much paperwork or over amount of duty. Compassion Fatigue is human suffering

Causes and Triggers of Compassion Fatigue Working with adults and particularly children who are victims of trauma or violence Lack of training in dealing with issues of trauma or violence and it’s subsequent outcomes High ideals of making a difference in the lives of children and adults

Cont’d Personality traits of compassion and empathy Past histories of trauma or victimization in the worker Lack of consistent self-care behaviors and habits. Working with large numbers of traumatized and or victimized people

The Professional Impact of Compassion Fatigue Low Morale & Motivation Avoiding tasks & poor work commitments Obsessions about details Apathy Negativity Lack of Appreciation Detachment Staff conflicts

Cont’d Absenteeism Exhaustion Irritability Withdrawal from colleagues Loss of confidence

Cognitive Confusion Spaciness Trauma Imagery Rigitdity Apathy Self-doubt Thoughts of self harm

Emotional Anxiety Emtional Rollercoaster Anger/rage Numbness Overwhelmed Fear Depression

Cont’d Depleted Sadness Survivors guilt

Behavioral Clingy Moody Nightmares Impatient Appetite changes

Behavioral Use of negative coping Sleep disturbances Hyper vigilance Elevated startle response

Spiritual Loss of purpose Anger at God Questions Prior religious beliefs Pervasive hopelessness

Inter-Personal Withdrawn Over protective Mistrust Decrease in intimacy/sex Isolation Projection of anger/blame Intolerance Loneliness

Physical Aches/pains Shock Dizziness Breathing difficulty Somatic complaints Impaired immune system Rapid Heartbeat

Cognitive Restructuring 1st line of defense:stress inoculation; a process to build up positive thoughts when negative events are encountered. The aim is to modify the internal dialog Focus on yourselves: where am I in the moment

Cont’d Label your feelings and link to physiological response. Regulate self with positive spin; block toxic thinking Look beyond the immediate and move to general themes and patterns

Cognitive Restructuring Phase 1: INPUT (sight or sound) Phase 2 : PROCSSING INPUT Conscious interpretation Reasoning Analyzing Memory

Phase 3: OUTPUT(action or behavior) You are making a conscious appraisal of the stimuli while blocking toxic thoughts Meichenbaum

Cognitive Restructuring What we say to ourselves creates an internal environmental in which we either flourish of flounder. We must challenge our internal dialong of create a peaceful inner world.

Developing a Therapuetic Community Reaching out to others who will: Lift us and validate our self care habits Hold us accountable for our self care Support our sense of resilience Not allow us to isolate Who nurture us Who delightfully immerse us in humor

Stress Reduction, Creating Your Own Sanctuary Creating your own private sanctuary to heal everyday Through structured self care, design your space

Structured Self Care Plan and develop a template to keep List things you will pay attention to when you have time to your self List what you need when the kids are home List things you will do at the end of each day or the end of each evening List things you will do daily, weekly,and bi-monthly

Everyday Strategies for Self Care Realize the mind-body connection Talk it out/process with someone Discharge and recharge Self-sooth and pamper(Sanctuary Time) Breathing Techniques Spiritual feeding and lifting Being accountable to someone who cares

Tools for the Road Cognitive Negative Awareness (Shoulda,Coulda, Woulda) Relaxation Mindfulness Journaling Creating Narratives Exercise

Cont’d Dance Therapy Music The Arts Reading Feeding your Spirit Thera-Play Nutrition

What are your plans for self care? Conclusion What are your plans for self care?