We may earn an affiliate commission when you visit our partners.

Compassion Fatigue

Save
May 1, 2024 4 minute read

Compassion fatigue is a state of emotional and physical exhaustion that can occur when a person is exposed to the suffering of others. It is often experienced by healthcare workers, social workers, and other professionals who work with people who are experiencing trauma or loss.

Causes of Compassion Fatigue

Compassion fatigue can be caused by a number of factors, including:

  • Constant exposure to suffering. People who work with people who are experiencing trauma or loss are constantly exposed to their pain and suffering. This can take a toll on their own emotional and physical health.
  • Lack of support. People who work with people who are experiencing trauma or loss often feel isolated and unsupported. This can make it difficult for them to cope with the stress of their work.
  • Personal experiences with trauma or loss. People who have experienced their own trauma or loss may be more susceptible to compassion fatigue.
  • Personality traits. People who are highly empathetic or compassionate may be more likely to experience compassion fatigue.

Symptoms of Compassion Fatigue

Symptoms of compassion fatigue can include:

Share

Help others find this page about Compassion Fatigue: by sharing it with your friends and followers:

Reading list

We've selected six books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Compassion Fatigue.
Provides a comprehensive overview of compassion fatigue, including its causes, symptoms, and consequences. It also offers practical strategies for preventing and managing compassion fatigue.
Explores the neurobiological mechanisms underlying compassion, including the role of the brain's empathy networks.
Provides a theoretical framework for understanding compassion, and explores the role of compassion in promoting mental health and well-being.
Explores the evolutionary origins of compassion, and argues that it is an adaptive trait that has helped humans to survive and thrive.
Table of Contents
Our mission

OpenCourser helps millions of learners each year. People visit us to learn workspace skills, ace their exams, and nurture their curiosity.

Our extensive catalog contains over 50,000 courses and twice as many books. Browse by search, by topic, or even by career interests. We'll match you to the right resources quickly.

Find this site helpful? Tell a friend about us.

Affiliate disclosure

We're supported by our community of learners. When you purchase or subscribe to courses and programs or purchase books, we may earn a commission from our partners.

Your purchases help us maintain our catalog and keep our servers humming without ads.

Thank you for supporting OpenCourser.

© 2016 - 2025 OpenCourser