Burnout. Compassion Fatigue. Emotional Exhaustion. Overwhelm. Empathy Fatigue. Caregiver Burnout. Vicarious Trauma. Decision Fatigue.
These buzzwords are everywhere—in the media, in workplace conversations, and maybe even in your own thoughts. Since the COVID pandemic reshaped our lives four years ago, these terms have become part of our everyday language. But what do they actually mean, and why do they matter?
You might even be thinking, “Yeah, great, I know I’m burned out. But now what?”
Many of my clients, friends, and colleagues are grappling with feelings of deep exhaustion and emotional depletion. They’re running on empty, unsure how to navigate the relentless demands of work, personal stressors and family responsibilities, and a world that feels increasingly unstable. If this resonates with you, you’re not alone.
Welcome to our series exploring burnout, empathy fatigue, and compassion. Caregivers and helping professionals often carry the emotional weight of others’ struggles. This series will unpack the nuances of empathy and compassion, explore their impact on burnout, and provide actionable strategies to support resilience and well-being. In this first blog, we dive into empathy fatigue and why this term is more accurate than what is often referred to as compassion fatigue. Understanding the difference is essential for fostering sustainable care.
In this first post, we’ll dive into empathy fatigue—a term that more accurately reflects what’s often called compassion fatigue. Understanding this difference is key to creating sustainable, healthy ways of caring for others without losing yourself in the process.
The Difference Between Empathy and Compassion
Compassion: A caring response that includes a desire to alleviate suffering while maintaining emotional balance. Compassion is energizing and does not lead to emotional exhaustion.
- Let’s look at compassion a bit more… Karuna, a central concept in Buddhist teachings refers to compassion. It is the practice of recognizing and alleviating suffering with wisdom and balance. Unlike empathy, karuna is boundless and not rooted in emotional overwhelm. It pairs care with equanimity, making it a sustainable and energizing quality for caregivers.
Why Empathy Fatigue Drives Burnout (NOT Compassion Fatigue)
Understanding the difference between empathy fatigue and compassion fatigue is crucial because it changes how we approach burnout prevention and self-care. Mislabeling empathy fatigue as compassion fatigue can perpetuate misunderstandings about the causes of emotional exhaustion. Compassion, when properly cultivated, is a resource that sustains and energizes caregivers, while empathy, though essential for connection, can become draining without boundaries and self-regulation. Recognizing this distinction empowers caregivers to adopt strategies that reduce over-identification with others’ pain while fostering sustainable and balanced care.
Compassion as a Protective Factor
Reflection: Recognizing Empathy Fatigue
Rate the following statements on a scale of 1 (Rarely/Never) to 5 (Almost Always):
- I feel emotionally drained after empathizing with others’ struggles.
- I find it hard to separate my emotions from those of the people I care for.
- I experience physical tension or fatigue after supporting someone in distress.
- I feel overwhelmed by the emotional pain of others.
- I notice myself avoiding emotionally charged situations or conversations.
- I struggle to recover emotionally after deeply connecting with someone’s pain.
- I feel less capable of offering support because I am emotionally exhausted.
Final Thoughts
Empathy fatigue is a natural consequence of deeply connecting with the struggles of others, but it doesn’t have to lead to burnout. By understanding the distinction between empathy and compassion, we can take meaningful steps to protect our energy and well-being. Compassion, rooted in emotional balance and action, offers a sustainable path for caregivers to support others without sacrificing themselves. Recognizing these dynamics and implementing strategies to shift from empathy fatigue to compassion can empower caregivers to find renewed purpose and resilience in their work.
Come back soon to check out the next in our blog series on empathy fatigue and burnout. We will explore how to move from empathy fatigue to compassion and provide actionable strategies for caregivers and healing professionals. Future posts will dive deeper into tools for resilience, insights from Buddhist philosophy, and practical techniques to sustain meaningful and effective care. In the meantime, we offer support through a variety of services for those experiencing empathy fatigue, burnout, and/or vicarious trauma.
About the Author
Sarah Long, PsyD, LCP, CEDS
Dr. Sarah Long is a gifted psychologist with 16+ years of experience helping people to heal from the impacts of traumatic events and recover from eating disorders. Dr. Long leads the Eating Disorder team at Catalyst, provides EMDR, Psychedelic Assisted Therapy. Dr. Long also uses her expertise in Collaborative Therapeutic Assessment to evaluate complex Eating Disorder cases and provide guidance for treatment.
Interested in Learning More?
For further reading on this topic:
- “Debunking the Myth of Compassion Fatigue” cmha.ca
- “Is ‘Compassion Fatigue’ Real? Get the Truth from a Practicing Physician” compassioninstitute.com
