The Joyful Heart Foundation calls burnout in social workers compassion fatigue and attributes this unique form of burnout to what they call vicarious trauma. 

“When we are experiencing overwhelming volumes of emotionally charged information our bodies, minds and spirit adapt to help us cope. The way we cope may help in the moment but may have longer term negative results." 

“We are all coping to the best of our ability,” the Foundation continues. “However, understanding the costs associated with some coping strategies can help us grow closer to solutions.” 

ARE YOU HIGH RISK FOR BURNOUT? 

All the social workers we talk to experience some form of compassion fatigue after they are on the job for a few years. 

Simply asking yourself the following questions will give you a good idea if you are at risk of suffering compassion fatigue. 

• Do I bear witness to the suffering of others on a regular basis? 
• Am I in a position where I feel responsible for someone’s safety or well-being? 
• Do I intuitively know - even if I’m not ready to say it out loud - that my work is starting to impact my health, life, or relationships? 
• Do I work harder than is healthy for my mind and body because the issue feels deeply personal to me? 

MAKE A SEARCHING SELF-APPRAISAL

Most social workers we know answer the questions above with a resounding…YES. If you also answered YES, it is time for you to take a personal inventory of the early warning signs of compassion fatigue. 

Do any or all of the following describe you? 

• Constantly feeling tired even after having time to rest.
• Physical tension in the body when it's not needed.
• Physical pain throughout the day such as headaches, back pain, and wrist pain.
• Difficulty falling asleep or excessive sleeping.
• Falling sick the moment you are able to rest. 

Do any of the following describe how you often feel?

• Hypersensitivity to emotionally charged material.
• Feeling disconnected from your emotions and /or your body.
• Feeling like no matter how much you give, it will never be enough.
• Feeling hopeless or helpless toward the future.
• Increased levels of anger, irritability, resentment, or cynicism. 

Is your current conduct marked by?

SIMPLE PREVENTION TECHNIQUE 

The Joyful Heart Foundation suggests that the key to prevention is to: 

Honor a Regular Practice of Self-Care 

• Journaling 
• Cooking a healthful meal
• Yoga
• Meditation
• Jogging
• Exercise classes
• Limiting electronics before bed
• Replacing television with music
• Taking off your shoes when you enter your home 

Make your space away from work a peaceful one - one in which you can take refuge, seek clarity, withdraw, be still and relax.