Compassion fatigue or caregiver burnout is on the rise. Over the pandemic I have seen many parents and families experience this with a family member going through mental health crises, behavior problems, school problems and relationship problems with their peers.
What is caregiver burnout? I get asked this question a lot. Caregiver burnout or compassion fatigue is real. Symptoms start to display as mild but overtime they increase and some of these symptoms are persistent if we do not understand or recognize the signs, It is not talked about enough and most times individuals are not aware or are able to identify what they are experiencing.
The Mayo Clinic lists the below as the most common symptoms :
- Feeling overwhelmed or constantly worried.
- Feeling tired often.
- Getting too much sleep or not enough sleep.
- Gaining or losing weight.
- Becoming easily irritated or angry.
- Losing interest in activities you used to enjoy.
- Feeling sad.
- Having frequent headaches, bodily pain or other physical problems.
- Higher number of hours spent caregiving
- Lack of coping skills and difficulty solving problems
- Lack of choice in being a caregiver
Most times compassion fatigue is also experienced by first responders due to the nature of the job as the constant exposure to traumatic events can become unbearable. Teachers, health care providers and parents also included in this group. The emotional and physical demands involved with caregiving can strain even the most resilient person. If you notice that you are experiencing and symptoms listed above, you are experiencing caregiver burnout. This is temporary and can be resolved with the right help. If not treated and/or acknowledged it can lead to compassion fatigue which displays as a diminished ability to provide empathy or be compassionate with the loved one you are caring for. It becomes more of a chore than a choice to care for them and it is hard on both the care giver and the loved one being cared for. Feeling drained, constantly irritable or on edge can also be a symptom.
Some ways to resolve this is eating better, taking time to yourself, getting good sleep, disconnecting for a few hours when you are not responsible for caring for them, practice mindfulness and self-care, get some fresh air, exercise. It is important to find ways to rejuvenate your soul and your emotional well-being. Seeking therapy is often a good option to process your feelings and state of affairs in a health manner. It is important to notice these signs and seek help and make changes to your daily routine if you are a caregiver so as to provide the best care possible to the person you are providing care to.