Compassion Fatigue
Compassion fatigue is a common condition among many caregivers and community workers. This condition is “characterized by a gradual diminishing of compassion within a specified period” (Stamm, 2014, p. 2). The condition is also given the name Secondary Traumatic Stress (STS). Several risk factors and conditions are associated with this condition. Helm (2012) argues that “perfectionists and overly conscientious individuals will suffer from STS” (p. 4). Lack of proper social support and care can also result in compassion fatigue. Individuals without proper coping strategies and continued trauma can cause this condition. Stressful working conditions can also result in STS. High-stress professions and jobs also promote this condition.
Social workers and caregivers should use powerful prevention plans in order to deal with compassion fatigue. A personal self-care strategy can be effective in dealing with compassion fatigue. For instance, employees can take long breaks from work. They should also engage in recreational activities and exercises. Caregivers should also accept the fact that heartaches will always occur. Social support can also produce desirable outcomes. The targeted individuals will “interact with more people in order to promote their psychological states” (Stamm, 2014, p. 3).
My Personal Self-Care Plan
My philosophy is to provide the best care to different people in society. I possess the best skills and competencies in order to achieve the targeted objectives. Caregivers should have the required education. They “should possess certain skills such as decision-making, time management, problem-solving, resiliency, compassion, and leadership” (Helm, 2012, p. 4). I encounter different sources of compassion fatigue every day. For instance, I sometimes focus on the best outcomes. I always face different workplace problems. These issues always affect my objectives.
Most of my workmates and clients fail to cooperate. This situation affects my career objectives. The working environment lacks appropriate training to deal with various stresses and problems. That being the case, caregivers should come up with a powerful self-care plan. The important thing is maintaining my physical and emotional health. I will always use different stress-reduction approaches. Some of these practices include “exercises, recreational functions, and work-life balance” (Sadler-Gerhardt & Stevenson, 2012, p. 5). I will also join different teams in order to get the best social support.
How This Class Has Changed Me
This class has equipped me with new skills and ideas that can support my future career goals. I did not understand the meaning of Case Management (CM). I believed that CM was a simple term applied in different working environments. However, the class materials have given me a clear understanding of CM. Employees and clients should embrace the best practices in order to achieve the targeted health outcomes (Sadler-Gerhardt & Stevenson, 2012). The videos, lectures, class readings, assignments, and discussions have expanded my view of working with different clients. I have understood many things that were unclear to me nine weeks ago.
The class materials have equipped me with new competencies and self-care strategies that can support my future career goals. I will become a competent human service professional. I will always work closely with different individuals. I will embrace the power of teamwork. It will be my obligation to address some of the factors affecting my performance. It is appropriate for caregivers to deal with compassion fatigue (Nimmo & Huggard, 2013). I will use the above practices in order to offer quality support to my clients. I will deal with every stressor affecting my goals. This class has equipped me with numerous competencies that can make me a professional social worker.
Reference List
Helm, H. (2012). Managing Vicarious Trauma and Compassion Fatigue. Web.
Nimmo, A., & Huggard, P. (2013). A Systematic Review of the Measurement of Compassion fatigue, Vicarious Trauma, and Secondary Traumatic Stress in Physicians. Australasian Journal of Disaster and Trauma Studies, 1(1), 37-44.
Sadler-Gerhardt, C., & Stevenson, D. (2012). When it All Hits the Fan: Helping Counselors Build Resilience and Avoid Burnout. Ideas and Research You Can Use, 1(1), 1-8.
Stamm, B. (2014). Helping the Helpers: Compassion Satisfaction and Compassion Fatigue in Self-Care, Management, and Policy of Suicide Prevention Hotlines. ProQOL, 1(1), 1-4.