Сompassion fatigue

“Well, what are you yelling about!” “Leave me alone!” – these phrases burst forth from the frozen, tired depths of a soul that can feel neither its own pain nor that of a child.

Sometimes, due to overwhelming demands, we begin to feel less of the compassion we usually have for others. This is called “compassion fatigue.” It affects not only psychologists and helping professionals but also mothers. It manifests as insensitivity, cruelty, or a sense of being “defective.” But in reality, it’s a sign that we need to slow down and rest.

Compassion fatigue is a physiological process in our brains. Research shows that compared to 1970, students today experience 40% less compassion. Information overload, stress, and exhaustion diminish our capacity for empathy. When we yell at or scold our children, knowing we should be comforting them, we are experiencing compassion fatigue. This leads to feelings of guilt and the loss of warm, trusting relationships. We realize we should say something different, hug instead of push away, but we can’t seem to do it.

Compassion fatigue primarily hinders us from being compassionate toward ourselves, causing us to take on burdens that only make things worse.

It makes us blame others for their misfortunes. The struggles of those around us weigh too heavily on us.

Compassion fatigue prevents us from respecting the feelings of others. Do the emotions of loved ones not evoke any feelings in you? Do you walk past someone in need of help?

It hinders our understanding of our own feelings and those of others, making it difficult to talk about them and reach a new level of closeness and trust through conversation.

Compassion fatigue stops us from feeling love.

If you recognize yourself in these descriptions, here are a few of my suggestions:

  • Share information about yourself with people who VALIDATE (understand and respect) your feelings.
  • Set clear BOUNDARIES for yourself and others.
  • Increase your emotional AWARENESS through personal development.
  • Practice COMPASSION and kindness toward yourself.
  • Limit the flow of information you receive daily.
  • Speak directly about your needs and desires.
  • Blame situations, not people.