The 11th Asian Post Graduate Course on Victimology and Victim Services, Jakarta, Indonesia Compassion Fatigue: An Overview John P. J. Dussich, Ph. D. Professor of Victimology California State University, Fresno

The 11th Asian Post Graduate Course on Victimology and Victim Services, Jakarta, Indonesia

Compassion Fatigue: Origins  Secondary traumatic stress was first identified in nurses and doctors in the 1950s, especially associated with those who worked with severe emergencies.  Karl Jung called it “psychic infection” claiming it was contagious and insidious.  Viktor Frankl, psychiatrist and holocaust survivor, metaphorically explained it with these words: “  Viktor Frankl, psychiatrist and holocaust survivor, metaphorically explained it with these words: “That which is to give light, must endure burning.”

The 11th Asian Post Graduate Course on Victimology and Victim Services, Jakarta, Indonesia Compassion Fatigue: Terms  Carla Joinson first coined the term compassion fatigue in a 1992 article for nurses. She said, “the essential product they deliver is themselves.”  Patrick Morrisette called this phenomenon, “The Pain of Helping” referring it as the psychological injury of the helping professionals. referring it as the psychological injury of the helping professionals.

The 11th Asian Post Graduate Course on Victimology and Victim Services, Jakarta, Indonesia Compassion Fatigue: History  The post Vietnam war era of the 70s and the development of victim services in the 70s and 80s identified PTSD.  Those who treated this problem themselves became victims of STSD: “secondary traumatic stress disorder.” Related but not the same.  The Modern day CF academic guru is Charles Figley, from FSU, but now at Tulane University, LA to treat Hurricane Katrina and Rita victims.  The Modern day CF practitioner guru is Patricia Smith, with the Compassion Fatigue Awareness Project (CFAP) in Silicon Valley, California.

The 11th Asian Post Graduate Course on Victimology and Victim Services, Jakarta, Indonesia Compassion Fatigue: Proneness  Those who place the pain and suffering of others before themselves.  Those who have unresolved past issues with trauma.  Those who come from a place of emptiness.  Those who have persistent illnesses.  Those who use helping others to fill up their own lives.

The 11th Asian Post Graduate Course on Victimology and Victim Services, Jakarta, Indonesia Compassion Fatigue: Dangers  It can be a high risk mental health condition.  It can cause you to also suffer from PTSD symptoms.  It will cause you to suffer subtle stress, anxiety, and fatigue.  It can render you dysfunctional in professional and private activities.

The 11th Asian Post Graduate Course on Victimology and Victim Services, Jakarta, Indonesia Compassion Fatigue: Early Warnings  Over involvement which causes more stressful conditions.  Realizing that others take liberties with your private time and space.  Recognizing that you have less and less private time and space.  Engaging in addictive behaviors: drugs, sex, alcohol, etc.  Denial that a problem exists.

The 11th Asian Post Graduate Course on Victimology and Victim Services, Jakarta, Indonesia Compassion Fatigue: General Healing  Develop authentic sustainable health care that results in good coping.  Give from a place of abundance.  Find safe, caring, regular, and professional opportunities so that you are debriefed and counseled.  Discuss with your supervisor and peers the need to be monitored.

The 11th Asian Post Graduate Course on Victimology and Victim Services, Jakarta, Indonesia Compassion Fatigue: Specific Healing  Set priorities with your own time.  Periodically “unplug” or “disengage” from care giving commitments.  Decide when to turn off: beepers; home phones; computers; and cell phones.  Set clear boundaries in both private and professional relationships.  Find CF support groups among your peers.

The 11th Asian Post Graduate Course on Victimology and Victim Services, Jakarta, Indonesia Compassion Fatigue: Organizational Support  Discuss CF issues, and your own problems, with supervisor.  Get with peers and create a CF peer support group.  Promote Care-giver Rights: to be respected for the work you do; adequate pay for your work; appropriate time off to recover; to receive organizational help.  Helpful Website:  Helpful Books: Compassion Fatigue, C. Figley; and, -P. Morrissette The Pain of Helping: Psychological Injury of Helping Professionals -P. Morrissette

The 11th Asian Post Graduate Course on Victimology and Victim Services, Jakarta, Indonesia Thank you for your attention