Question
Why Does Compassion Fatigue Happen?
Answer
Compassion fatigue happens because people have personal, unresolved issues. They are not able to work out what is going on in their personal lives, so they bring it into the office. They may lack skills and self-awareness. Additionally, somebody may be continuing to work when they should not be.
Burnout will follow compassion fatigue if it is left unchecked. Someone may lack coping skills and boundaries. They may look to their work as being a place where they can establish boundaries. However, they do not have the stamina to do that because of weaknesses in other areas. That is not a character flaw, but rather a lack of self-care and an inability to communicate what their needs are. Boundaries keep getting pushed and people find that they are continuing to do these things. It is not burnout yet, but they are experiencing challenges that affect their decision-making.
This Ask the Expert is an edited excerpt from the course, Avoiding Professional Potholes: Everyday Ethical Social Work Practice, presented by Michelle Gricus, DSW, MSW, LICSW, LCSW-C.
