Compassion fatigue, unlike ordinary burnout, is sometimes the consequence of professionals who care too much about their work and those they are trying to help. Persons with compassion fatigue like their jobs, they just don t have enough of themselves to go around. Faced with the needs of those who have been hurt or injured physically or psychologically they find themselves identifying too much with the victim and not enough as a helper. Sometimes the helper begins experiencing the symptoms of the one being helped anger, frustration, sleep problems, feelings of isolation and helplessness. This kind of secondary traumatization is not the consequence of a one-time event, but the product of many encounters with persons in great need.
P Talk to someone.
Whether nurse or psychotherapist, everyone who deals with trauma should have someone to talk to, either a willing friend or another professional. As in the case of so many health care professions, honoring the patient s confidentiality precludes venting to a friend. Besides, many friends don t want to hear the kind of details the trauma worker knows. If there is no formal supervision at work for this kind of support, think about starting a group. Individual counseling can be appropriate for anyone who works with trauma victims.