Caring for others can be a rewarding job, but this can lead to stress in all areas of health care. Compassion fatigue refers to an emotional state with negative psychological and physical consequences that emanate from acute or prolonged care giving of people stricken by intense trauma, suffering, or misfortune. (Bush, N. 2009). Compassion fatigue is a gradual decrease in compassion over time. In compassion fatigue a person giving a great amount of energy and compassion to others which in turn cause physical, emotional and spiritual exhaustion.

This can have personal and professional effect on a person’s life. Warning Signs for Major Concepts of Compassion Fatigue Symptoms of compassion fatigue can occur on a continuum from acute to chronic and affect seven domains: cognitive, emotional, behavioral, personal relations, somatic, work performance and spiritual (Figley, 2002). Warning signs of compassion fatigue varies from person to person.

Some of these are abusing drug, alcohol or food, anger, blaming, chronic lateness, depression, diminished sense of personal accomplishment, exhaustion (physical or emotional), frequent headaches, gastrointestinal complaints, high self-esteem, hopelessness, hypertension, inability to maintain balance of empathy and objectivity, increased irritability, less ability to feel joy, low self-esteem, sleep disturbances, an work holism (Overcoming Compassion Fatigue – Apr 2000). Untreated compassion fatigue can lead to “a negative effect on personal and professional psychological, physical, social, and work-related health (Bush, N 2009).

Nature of the Problems and their Causes The article “Compassion Fatigue: Are You at Risk” Nancy Jo Bush explains how compassion fatigue changes E. P’s normal life to a hopeless and senseless one. . Figley (1999) described this phenomenon as the cost of caring. Compassion fatigue can affect any person, but mostly it affects people those who are in care giving profession like health care workers, mental health care workers, chaplains, counselors, teachers, rescue workers, etc. This usually happens over a period of time due to constant exposure to traumatic situations.

The work environment significantly affects the physical, psychological, emotional and/or spiritual wellbeing of individuals is unquestionable (Sabo, B. 2008). Most common causes of compassion fatigue includes caring for physically or mentally challenged or depressed people, Counseling victims of abuse or grief stricken families, or constant contact with terminally ill patients (Bhuyan, R. n. d. ) Figley (1999) stated that “The capacity for compassion and empathy seems to be at the core of our ability to do the work and at the core of our ability to be wounded by the work”. Chronic stress is basis of compassion fatigue.

Stress can be either personal or professional. If this state continues “individual may use ineffective coping strategies to self-medicate their emotional and physical pain with defensive or avoidant strategies (e. g. , alcohol or substance abuse, risky behaviors, isolation or withdrawal) or become apathetic, cynical, angry, or depressed”(Bush, N 2009). Physical, Emotional, and Spiritual Needs of the Caregiver Early diagnosis of compassion fatigue makes its management easy. Compassion fatigue causes physical, emotional, and spiritual exhaustion, so all those areas are to be considered in its management.

Physical needs of the caregiver includes eating a healthy diet, exercise regularly, get enough sleep, spend time with friends and family is very important. Physical symptoms associated compassion fatigue need to be treated, in order to achieve full recovery. Keep a balance between personal and professional life as well as get assistance whenever it is needed. Programs like employee assistance program, pastoral care, and counseling facilities are available in most of the hospitals. Spiritual needs includes prayer, meditation and yoga are some of the activities one need to focus on.

All these activities help in stress reduction. Social support in the workplace that protects against compassion fatigue includes the support of colleagues and superiors (Bush, N, 2009). Coping Strategies and Resources Coping skills are essential to manage compassion fatigue. These skills include avoid negative thoughts, Keep positive attitude, spend some quiet time, avoid smoking and drinking, be happy, ask support from friends and superiors, use available resources. Prayer, yoga, and meditation also help in stress reduction.