Compassion Fatigue

Cordelia Anderson, MA

www.cordeliaanderson.com

Sensibillities, Inc. Cordelia@visi.com

Exposure to Trauma has an impact on the most highly skilled professionals

“Trauma stewardship” is ethical issue (Laura van Dernoot Lipsky)

Occupational hazard of the work ◦“toxic stress”

Organizational & Individual Strategies both matter

No magic pill; No ONE thing There are symptoms: Pay attention

◦ to what “degree” - normal to ‘feel it’ – ◦ “NORMALIZE the difficulty of the topic &

situation” Figure out your current level of stress:

◦ Stress (helpful/good stress or at least not harmful)

◦ Over stressed (Pay attention)◦ Burnout◦ Dis-ease (Crispy, Crossed Over) (TOXIC)

As a catalyst to do what you can about any toxic conditions

Define the extent of the problem, restoration or transformation & practicing prevention

Important to start with yourself

Cordelia@visi.com

• Concept of“Trauma

Stewardship”&Resource• Look for more

resources on traumastewardship.com

Issue: What is an individual vs

situation/systemic problem?

Most “stress” from organization/political/systemic issues

Toxic exposure Overload from multiple sources

The exhaustion of physical and psychological resources caused

by excessive striving for unrealistically high expectations

(Update on Human Behavior, Vol 7, No. 4, 1987)

Burnout is a grief responseGrief that you aren’t as effective as you want to be

Preoccupation with work-related problems or job security* a depressed immune system* stomach problems* lack of appetite* insomnia* high blood pressure* Irritability* sadness•Anxiety

* chemical excuse/abuse

* Overtime* Negativism* Cynicism **** Pessimism* Hopeless is hip* If "seasoned", then cynical

Burnout & Secondary Trauma = Compassion fatigue

(Figley)◦Empathy is key to induction

◦Response is to shut down emotionally

Intrusive symptomsAvoidance symptomsArousal symptoms

(Figley, 1995)

Use to need adaptive reaction that’s now a maladaptive response

Release of powerful chemicals Only intended to be used for extreme

emergencies Not intended to experience repeat life threats PTSD = constant/chronic release of brains

emergency warning system Learned response to warning signs &

associations Reflex happens from sensory stimuli in absence of real threat

Sensibillities, Inc. 2005 Cordelia@visi.com

“Is what is coming at me really coming from me?”

1995-1997 data collection, 17K, 1st published in ’98; 2013 MN ACES Data

“What creates health and life success?” Develop a common language about the

problem, risks, protections and compassion ACES, neurobiology, stress and resilience Plan together in a new way Adversity add up & creates enduring

effects ACES are common, UNACCEPTABLE, the earlier

exposure the more the harms, yet they do NOT define us

Clients/Students you work with

You/Other Staff

Do you prioritize time/energy/relationships?◦(partner, friends)

What is the affect/effect on intimacy?

Are you suspicious of everyone?

Do your children wish they had a “normal parent” that didn’t always see/expect the worst?

Are you increasingly “protective?”

Diminished emotional responsiveness to a negative or aversive stimulus after repeated exposure to it.-To make less sensitive-NUMB

Impact of Technology

Be IntentionalEcological/Strategic

Personal &InstitutionalNot a Technique but a way of life“CHANGE OF HEART”

Exploited Child Unit Study of Impact; Proactive weekly group meetings Opportunities for private sessions

Hiring assessment based on learnings

Debrief at departures (Occupational Hazard)

www.shiftwellness.org; Research shows the impact Innocent justice Foundation with OJJDP, ICAC’s and MH expert in CSA Images developed “Supporting Heroes in MH Foundational Training (SHIFT)

ICAC BCA MN – Own ProgramSensibillities, Inc. Cordelia@visi.com

28 federal LE who investigate Internet CPHigh % of STSD (secondary traumatic stress

disorder) & CynicismSTSD & burnout scores related to:

◦Increased protectiveness of family◦Turnover intentions◦Reliance on co-workers (not outside of work)

◦General distrust

Cultivation of Organizational Support:◦Training prior to entry & supplemented◦Attention to cohesive collegial unit(COMMUNITY MATTERS)

◦Enhanced support network◦Recruitment willingness and screening

(wrong reasons for willingness)◦Past trauma, addressed◦Escape other duties

What fits? What doesn’t? What else?

Is the environment one in which the health, self-care of those who work in it is LIKELY?◦ Why or why not? ◦ Who is responsible? ◦ What can you do?

Are systems in place to help individuals/groups bounce back after harm?

Are processes restorative/transformative? Is it Solution focused?

To Counter Professional Negativity and Fatigue ask: ◦What are your successes? ◦What do you have to celebrate?

(Do you mostly talk about your challenges?)

Review of workplace practices and policies Do they include proactive measures at employee /

volunteer health & well-being & organizational support for the reality of trauma?

Are there reactive supports (debriefings, counseling support)

Assessment upfront, proactive check-in’s, exit interviews

Check for signs of health: moral, tone of ‘humor’ collaboration/support/creative thinking, physical wellness, mental health

“Make their day”Be presentChoose your

attitudePlay > Have Fun

Detaching Feeling Effective On The Job Past Childhood Experiences With Bonding

Name ItMake a plan to changeMake the changeBuild a teamEvaluateCelebrate Success

SIGN: Loose our ability to be present so we do not know the harm to self or others

NOTE: How do we not add to the trauma we see?

Focus and Identify what you can do to feel better at the really hard times;Impact can be TRANSFORMED by layering in new positive experiences;Mindfulness, Meditation & the neurobiology of trauma

◦- studies show increased activation of frontal and pre-fontal cortical areas

Laughter is an instant vacation. Laughter:

Reduces the level of stress hormones Perks up the immune system Relaxes muscles Clears the respiratory tract Increases circulation Eases perceived pain Feel good endorphins flow Laughter both stimulates and soothes

We burn out because we’ve allowed our hearts to become so filled with loss that we have not room left to care.

Grieving is a way of self-care, the antidote to professionalism. Health professionals don’t cry. Unfortunately.

The difference between stumbling blocks and stepping stones is how you use them

~ Source Unknown ~

www.cordeliaanderson.com

Cordelia AndersonCordelia@visi.comwww.cordeliaanderson.com;

Compassion Fatigue

Health & Medicine

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