FIRST, DO NO HARM ,(TO YOURSELF):MITIGATING COMPASSION FATIGUE 

FOR THE WORKPLACE ADR PROFESSIONAL

Presented By:Shayne JuliusySept. 5, 2012

1660 L Street, NW, Suite 501, Washington, DC 20036202‐296‐2328 www.adrvantage.com

What is Compassion Fatigue?What is Compassion Fatigue?

Compassion Fatigue is a natural consequenceCompassion Fatigue is a natural consequence of stress resulting from caring and helping traumatized or suffering people Thesetraumatized or suffering people…. These outwards signs are displays of stress resulting from giving care to others Compassion fatiguefrom giving care to others. Compassion fatigue is a secondary traumatic stress disorder.  It is a set of symptoms not a diseaseset of symptoms, not a disease.  

‐ Charles Figley (1995)

Why are Workplace ADR f l l blProfessionals Vulnerable?

• Ongoing and repeated exposure to others’Ongoing and repeated exposure to others  conflicts

• Guiding principles of ADR practice provide• Guiding principles of ADR practice provide false sense of invulnerability 

E bli hi i i h h i i• Establishing connection with the parties in conflict is key to a successful intervention 

• “Self‐care blind spot”

Compassion Fatigue TrajectoryCompassion Fatigue Trajectory

• Committed and involved• Committed and involved• Ready to serve and make a difference• Willing to go above and beyond• Full of energy and enthusiasm

Idealistic• Full of energy and enthusiasm

• Cuts corners, loss of concentration, increase in oversights and mistakes

• Avoids contact with parties in conflictIrritable • Avoids contact with parties in conflict• Mocks others and uses inappropriate humor• Distances oneself from colleagues and friends

Irritable

Compassion Fatigue Trajectory cont.Compassion Fatigue Trajectory cont.

• Loses patience with parties in conflict – their issues become irritants

• Neglects self and others and is chronically fatigued• Loses hope and isolates oneselfB d f i d i lf i ti

Withdrawn• Becomes defensive and may view oneself as a victim

• Views others as incompetent or ignorant• Develops a disdain for parties in conflictZombie • Dislikes others and becomes easily enraged• Loses patience, sense of humor, and zest for life

Zombie

Symptoms of Compassion h d d lFatigue in the Individual

• Emotional outbursts • Excessive complainingEmotional outbursts

• Lack of boundaries

• Avoidance of others

Excessive complaining

• Lack of interest in self‐care• Avoidance of others

• Loss of sense of humor

care

• Recurring nightmares, flashbacks• Loss of purpose

• Difficulty in 

flashbacks

• Persistent physical ailmentsconcentration

• Feelings of inadequacy

ailments

• Accident prone

Symptoms of Compassion Fatigue in an Organization

• Excessive Worker’s • Aggressive behaviorExcessive Worker s Comp Claims

• High absenteeism

Aggressive behavior

• Inability to complete assigned tasksHigh absenteeism

• “Us” vs. “them” co‐worker relationships

assigned tasks

• Lack of flexibility

C t t liworker relationships

• Dysfunctional teams

I i i ti

• Constant policy changes

R & i• Ignoring organization rules & regulations

• Rumors & gossip

• Unhealthy competition

Causes of Compassion Fatigue

• Putting needs of others before yoursPutting needs of others before yours

• Unresolved trauma/pain

ki f h l h i kill• Lacking of healthy coping skills

• Lack of self‐awareness

• Giving care to others under stress or burnout

• Lack of personal boundariesLack of personal boundaries

• Inability to communicate needs

The ADR of Self‐CareThe ADR of Self Care

• AwarenessAwareness

• Deliberate Action• Deliberate Action

• Revisit Often• Revisit Often

The ADR of Self‐CareThe ADR of Self Care

• AwarenessAwareness– Accept that the work we do makes us vulnerable

Acquire more information about compassion– Acquire more information about compassion fatigue and effective self‐care practices

– Assess your current level of and vulnerability to– Assess your current level of and vulnerability to compassion fatigue

– Acknowledge your needs and limitsAcknowledge your needs and limits

Assessment Tool:P f i l Q li f Lif S l (P QOL)Professional Quality of Life Scale (ProQOL)

© Beth Hudnall Stamm, 2009.  www.ProQOL.org

The ADR of Self‐CareThe ADR of Self Care

• Deliberate Actione be ate ct o– Develop a self‐care plan– Decompress after difficult situations– Define your boundaries to promote balance– Develop healthy coping strategies and engage in activities that bring you joy/are a source of renewalactivities that bring you joy/are a source of renewal

– Don’t wait to think about self‐care until you’re in dire circumstances

– Develop a strong support network– Declare your self‐care goals to your support network

Components of a Self‐Care PlanComponents of a Self Care Plan

• Identify areas where you want to maintain or improve y y pself‐care in each of six areas – cognitive, emotional, behavioral, spiritual, interpersonal and physicalS t SMART l S ifi M bl Att i bl• Set SMART goals – Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Time‐Based – and write them down

• Identify resources available to accomplish goalsIdentify resources available to accomplish goals• Identify specific people to support you in accomplishing your goals

• Don’t overwhelm yourself – prioritize the top three and revisit the plan at regular intervals

The ADR of Self‐CareThe ADR of Self Care

• Revisit oftenRevisit often– Renew your commitment to self‐care on a regular basis by setting aside time to take stock

– Reassess self‐care as circumstances change or new priorities are identified

/– Recognize your triggers/emerging symptoms and act immediatelyReach out to your colleagues to talk about issues– Reach out to your colleagues to talk about issues of self‐care and make it a priority in the ADR profession

Remember…Remember…

• You are humanYou are human

• You can’t solve every problem/resolve every conflictconflict

• Parties in conflict are best served by a i i h i l i lfpractitioner that actively engages in self‐care

ResourcesResourcesBOOKS:

Figley Charles R (1995) Compassion Fatigue coping with Traumatic Stress Disorder inFigley, Charles R. (1995) Compassion Fatigue: coping with Traumatic Stress Disorder in Those who Treat the Traumatized. New York: Brunner‐Routledge.

Figley, Charles R. (2002) Treating Compassion Fatigue. New York: Brunner‐Routledge.

Mathieu, F. (2008) The Compassion Fatigue Workbook, Kingston: WHP.

ARTICLES:

Figley (2007), Charles R. The Art and Science of Caring for Others without Forgetting Self‐Care. http://www.giftfromwithin.org/html/artscien.html

P A l U d t di d P ti C i F ti A H d t FPanos, Angelea.  Understanding and Preventing Compassion Fatigue ‐ A Handout For Professionals. http://www.giftfromwithin.org/html/prvntcf.html

Siebert, Al.  The Five Levels of Resiliency.   http://www.resiliencycenter.com/articles/5levels.shtml

Resources cont.Resources cont.

WEBSITES:

Compassion Fatigue Awareness Project (http://www.compassionfatigue.org/)The Compassion Fatigue Awareness Project© is dedicated to educating caregivers about authentic, sustainable self‐care and aiding organizations in their goal of providing healthy, compassionate care to those whom they serve.

Green Cross Academy of Traumatology (www.greencross.org)An international, humanitarian assistance organization, non‐profit corporationAn international, humanitarian assistance organization, non profit corporation comprised of trained traumatologists and compassion fatigue service providers. Most are licensed mental health professionals, all are oriented to helping people in crisis following traumatic events.

Professional Quality of Life (ProQOL) Scale (http://www.proqol.org/)The ProQOL is the most commonly used measure of the negative and positive affects of helping others who experience suffering and trauma. The ProQOL has sub‐scales for 

i i f i b d i f icompassion satisfaction, burnout and compassion fatigue.

Thank You For Coming!!Thank You For Coming!!

Want more information?Shayne Julius

ADR Vantage IncADR Vantage, Inc.1660 L Street, NW, Suite 501

Washington, DC 20036g202‐296‐2328

sjulius@adrvantage.com