As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, many caregivers and others who work in health care or related professions have become emotionally and physically drained. Compassion fatigue is a real thing that can result in burnout, anxiety, depression, and less enjoyment of life in general. If you’re a caregiver, health care professional, or therapist who’s feeling overwhelmed by it all, therapy in Las Vegas can help you learn coping mechanisms to combat compassion fatigue.
Compassion fatigue happens when caregivers or professionals like therapists and health care workers absorb the suffering of their patients. When people become overloaded with these emotions, it can lead to intrusive thoughts, secondary traumatic stress and an inability to empathize with patients. Taking on the emotions of others can leave you emotionally numb, overwhelmed, and weary, but there are ways to prevent and manage compassion fatigue.
From videos of nurses pleading for help to people posting memorials for lost loved ones on social media, it’s clear the COVID-19 pandemic has caused a lot of emotional and physical trauma. Going through these incredibly stressful experiences can have a significant impact on relationships with spouses, family members, coworkers, and friends. Many people may feel numb and on edge at the same time, which can lead them to become irritable and angry. Compassion fatigue and feeling burdened out from taking care of others can have harmful effects, such as insomnia, headaches, overeating, weight loss or gain, and substance abuse.
Health care workers are particularly vulnerable to compassion fatigue, as many of them put their hearts and souls into what they do. At certain points in the pandemic, hospitals have been overwhelmed and many patients have died from COVID-19. Nurses, physicians, social workers, and others have found themselves acting as intermediaries between patients and their families in their last moments. Dealing with so much death and sickness on a daily basis would leave anyone emotionally and physically depleted.
Track your feelings and stress levels. Compassion fatigue can easily creep up on caregivers and wreak havoc on their lives. Tuning in and writing down how you feel every day can help you recognize when you start feeling compassion fatigue. Seeking therapy in Las Vegas can keep it from getting worse and help you stay emotionally and physically healthy.
Practice self-care. Making sure you get enough sleep, nourishing yourself with a balanced diet, and getting some daily exercise can elevate your mood and help you manage stress. Deep breathing, walking, meditation, taking a bath, journaling, chatting with friends, or watching a funny movie are all positive ways to help stress and anxiety dissipate. Taking at least 10 minutes for yourself every day and practicing these tips can do wonders for those who need help coping with compassion fatigue.
Talk to a therapist. If you’re feeling depressed, stressed out, or you’re experiencing compassion fatigue, don’t wait to reach out and find therapy in Las Vegas. The sooner you get the help you need, the sooner you can start feeling better.
Therapy doesn’t have to be expensive. You can get therapy in Las Vegas for only $40.00 per session with the Kayenta Legacy Program. Connecting via telehealth services makes it convenient to talk to a therapist. If you’d rather see someone in person, Kayenta’s offices are open during the pandemic.
Therapists at Kayenta Therapy in Las Vegas can help you find the tools you need to cope with compassion fatigue. Contact a therapist directly to schedule a session today.
