Compassion fatigue

Creating positive change in society is often at the forefront of those choosing a career as a firefighter or a law enforcement officer. Over time, this mission can feel elusive, if not impossible. That feeling, along with overtime and seeing examples first-hand of the flagrant disregard for the safety and wellbeing of others, can take its toll. That is where “compassion fatigue” can begin to set in.

Compassion fatigue is broadly defined, and can include emotional and physical distress. Because the work of firefighters and law enforcement officers puts them in situations where they commonly see or hear about ongoing suffering, it is not uncommon to see some of the most skilled, caring, and compassionate individuals experience compassion fatigue.

—Learn more about factors that contribute to compassion fatigue

Signs of compassion fatigue

Compassion fatigue exists on a continuum; there are times when an individual is more resilient than others, and at any given time there will be public safety servants who are feeling well, some who are experiencing some symptoms, some who are thinking of quitting the profession, or worse. Compassion fatigue comes to its peak when chronic conditions of perceived demands outweigh perceived resources.

Compassion fatigue is typically different than the phenomenon of burnout. In burnout, one no longer likes what they do and they do not want to do what they do, whereas in compassion fatigue, there is still the interest in doing what they do.

There are a number of signs of compassion fatigue, that if ignored, can develop into more permanent symptoms that result in higher levels of negative functional impact. Some of the common signs of compassion fatigue include the following:

Exhaustion.Absenteeism, missing work, taking excessive sick days.Overeating.
You no longer enjoy the things that used to give you pleasure.Problems with personal relationships.Excessive use of drugs or alcohol.
Hypersensitivity or insensitivity.Feeling burdened by the suffering of others.Poor self-care.
Increased cynicism at work and changes in co-worker relationships.Blaming others for their suffering.Beginning to receive a lot of complaints about your work or attitude.
Anger and irritability.Isolating yourself.Inability to trust that improvement is possible.
You believe that you do not have time to be proactive.Bottling up your emotions.Lack of vision for the future.
Difficulty separating work life from personal life.Feelings of hopelessness or powerlessness.Difficulty concentrating.
Increased use of alcohol and or drugs.Frequent complaining about your work or your life.Denial.

Awareness and management

According to the Compassion Fatigue Awareness Project, “denial is one of the most detrimental symptoms” because it prevents those who are experiencing compassion fatigue from accurately assessing how fatigued and stressed they actually are, which prevents them from seeking help. That is why awareness is crucial and important.

You can build awareness of compassion fatigue within your own department by creating a culture that discusses this issue, and by helping people stay focused on the purpose of the work — knowing why they do what they do. Read more about the Power of Purpose.

Teaching, learning, and practicing authentic, sustainable self-care daily can help manage the symptoms of compassion fatigue. By recognizing and addressing compassion fatigue, the likelihood of symptoms escalating into more concerning behaviors and potential mental health diagnoses decreases.