Topic Tuesday // Staying safe while supporting others // April 18, 7pm AEST

@NikNik I think I have gone through and am going through both Compassion Fatuige and Burnout... It has been a 24/7 situation for quite a while. And through multiple different people.

Hi all. So sorry I'm late.

Sherry

wow @NikNik

Looking at the Compassion fatigue ---- that is what i have , thank you for clearing that up @NikNik

Have just joined in on this forum. There's a lot to take in but from what I have gleamed it's so very important to take care of yourself as otherwise your effectiveness in helping others could be severely impaired. A bit like the "put your own breathing mask on first" situation.

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@utopia wrote:
@NikNik Can I get Burn Out from my own self care?

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@utopia I'm curious to know what you mean???

While I'm not surprised, I am sad to read that so many people have experienced burn out and/or compassion fatigue.

To remember the difference, I think of 'Burn Out' as a slow burning candel - it's all consuming and slow, while compassion fatigue I think of running and the fatigue that quickly swamps me when I run... for a block (I'm not fit!), but after having a short break and some water, I can keep on running. The impact doesn't last as long.

Does that help?

I think I get that @Phoenix_Rising after reading lots of your posts. I can see how it would happen and repeat and I also understand with your complexities how very difficult it would be and keep adding to your muddle. I'm sorry that has happened so much for you. 💜🤗

@Phoenix_Rising I think that is because as @NikNik said earlier, empathetic and caring types do think they can help. But sometimes for whatever reason, it all goes as much of a muddle for them as it is for you. They leave, but that doesn't help you it makes it worse because as much as you probably want to at times, you can't leave. So you have sought your self care in isolation so you don't have to face the agony of that anymore. Which is totally understandable. It would be very hard to have that happen time and time again.