Many moons ago, healthcare professionals were the only ones suffering from compassion fatigue. In this line of work, witnessing extreme suffering is commonplace. However, this diagnosis now affects people of all ages. Simply flipping on the television or scrolling the internet for a few minutes exposes you to all sorts of tragedies and graphic images. With time, you may become numb by what you see. Does this sound familiar? Be on the lookout for these warning signs:
Symptoms of Emotional Exhaustion
People are empathic creatures, but you may lose your ability to feel empathy for others after dealing with an abundance of traumatic stress. Many patients report:
- Being bothered by others in need
- Isolating themselves away from society
- Difficulty expression emotion
- Feeling hopeless
- Overwhelming tiredness
- Insomnia
- Lack of focus
- Poor self-image
- Acting out at work or home
- Denial
People experience emotional burnout in different ways. The number of symptoms you have isn’t important. What matters is getting the help you need to learn how to feel empathy once again.
Simple Steps to Overcome an Emotional Overload
Although compassion fatigue isn’t a deadly diagnosis, it can affect your quality of life. Patients often lose interest in things they once enjoyed. Others choose to distance themselves from the public. It’s essential to take steps to learn how to cope with this type of stress-related condition.
Instead of shying away from facts, it’s best to educate yourself about situations in the world. Whenever possible, share your feelings with others. Emotional validation will help you learn you’re not alone. Accept where you are in life, and fill your mind with positive thoughts. Speak up and work to make a real change around you.
Prevent Compassion Burnout in the Early Stages
If you are only experiencing the beginning symptoms of emotional exhaustion, you can take steps to prevent it from getting worse. Start by limiting how much news you consume each day. Understand that pain and suffering are a part of life, and you have little control over it. If you feel overwhelmed in the world, take a few moments to appreciate the good things in your life.
Compassion starts from within. If you don’t take care of your own emotional needs, you won’t be able to show empathy for others. You need to set aside time for yourself each day to calm your mind and soothe your spirit.
Speak with a Counselor You Trust
Pulling yourself out of an emotional rut isn’t always easy. Sometimes it’s best to talk about your feelings with a counselor. Positive Living Psychotherapy offers one-on-one counseling to help you better manage your emotions. We’ll examine your situation and provide you with guidance through this difficult time.
The world is full of good, even if you can’t always see it. If you feel stressed out or overwhelmed by all the negativity around you, we know how to help. Our team at Positive Living Psychotherapy is always friendly and non-judgmental. We’ll help you feel at ease during this time and give you the tools to live your best life. Schedule a consultation if you’re ready to free yourself from the negativity that comes with suffering from compassion fatigue.