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Original price was: £15.00.£10.00Current price is: £10.00.
Our Compassion Fatigue Toolkit, designed by Clinical Psychologists, offers practical tools and expert guidance to help you manage stress, burnout, and secondary trauma.
Understanding Compassion Fatigue
Compassion fatigue, often referred to as compassion exhaustion or compassion overload, is a state of emotional and physical fatigue caused by consistently supporting others in distress.
It is commonly experienced by caregivers, healthcare workers, social workers, and therapists — individuals who dedicate their time and energy to helping others navigate challenging emotions or circumstances.
While compassion is at the heart of these roles, overextending yourself emotionally without sufficient recovery time can lead to sympathy fatigue, a feeling of being emotionally drained and disconnected. This exhaustion often stems from the cumulative stress of caring for others and witnessing their struggles, particularly over extended periods or in high-pressure environments.
Signs + Symptoms of Compassion Fatigue
Recognising the early signs of compassion fatigue can help you address it before it takes a significant toll on your well-being. Common symptoms include…
- Emotional Fatigue: Feeling emotionally depleted, irritable, or less empathetic than usual.
- A sense of detachment or numbness when engaging with others’ struggles.
- Difficulty concentrating or making decisions.
- Physical symptoms, such as headaches, muscle tension, or disrupted sleep patterns.
- Decreased satisfaction or joy in caregiving or work roles.
The Impact of Compassion Fatigue
Left unaddressed, compassion fatigue can affect not only your mental and physical health, but also your ability to provide quality care or support.
It can lead to burnout, strained relationships, and even emotional withdrawal from those who need you most. Over time, emotional fatigue can diminish your sense of fulfilment in both personal and professional roles.
A Workbook Designed by Dr Erin Hope Thompson
Dr. Erin Hope Thompson MBE, Director of The Loss Foundation – the UK’s national cancer-loss charity, led the design of our Compassion Fatigue Toolkit.
Erin founded The Loss Foundation after experiencing an overwhelming lack of support following her father’s death from cancer. In recognition of her outstanding contributions to bereaved families, Erin was awarded an MBE in October 2023.
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Product on saleOriginal price was: £15.00.£10.00Current price is: £10.00.
Our Compassion Fatigue Toolkit, designed by Clinical Psychologists, offers practical tools and expert guidance to help you manage stress, burnout, and secondary trauma.
Strategies for Managing Compassion Fatigue
- Prioritise Self-Care: Engage in activities that rejuvenate your mind and body, such as exercise, mindfulness practices, or hobbies that bring you joy.
- Set Boundaries: Protect your time and energy by saying no when needed and limiting exposure to emotionally taxing situations.
- Seek Support: Share your feelings with trusted colleagues, friends, or a mental health professional. Peer support groups can also provide validation and practical tips for managing compassion exhaustion.
- Practice Emotional Awareness: Acknowledge and process your emotions without judgment. Recognising that it’s normal to feel overwhelmed can be a powerful step toward recovery.
- Educate Yourself: Understanding the causes and signs of compassion overload can help you proactively address it.
Compassion fatigue is not a sign of weakness but rather a testament to how deeply you care. It arises from the emotional exhaustion caused by prolonged exposure to stress and trauma, often experienced in roles that involve supporting others. Recognising its symptoms and taking proactive steps to manage it is essential to sustaining the empathy and compassion that make your work so impactful.
We understand the toll that supporting others can take. Drawing on years of experience, our Compassion Fatigue Toolkit is designed to provide practical tools and strategies to help you protect your emotional health, ensuring you can continue to provide care without compromising your own well-being.