Compassion fatigue
The cumulative toll of caring for others, professionally or personally.
What it is
Compassion fatigue is the gradual depletion that comes from sustained exposure to other people's suffering — common among frontline workers, healthcare staff, and caregivers, distinct from burnout in that it's specifically about the emotional cost of caring, not workload alone.
Common signs
- Feeling numb or distant toward people you'd normally feel for
- Dreading interactions that involve others' distress
- A growing sense of cynicism about the people you're caring for
- Physical and emotional exhaustion that rest doesn't fully resolve
Good to know
Compassion fatigue is a predictable occupational and personal hazard, not a sign that someone has stopped caring or chosen the wrong path.
What helps
Peer support with others doing similar work, structured time away from caregiving, and counselling specifically aimed at this kind of depletion all help more than simply pushing through.
When to seek help
If caring for others has started to feel like it's costing you your own capacity to feel, that's worth naming to a counsellor directly.
This page is general information, not a diagnosis or medical advice. If you're in crisis, go to Get Help Now instead of reading further.