Empathy is a quality that is necessary in health professionals especially psychologists, but this can become a double-edged sword.
This quality is defined as a person’s ability to “put themselves in the shoes” of another, to understand them better and give them the most appropriate advice for their situation. It is important for psychologists to have empathy; However, given that it is a double-edged sword, applying it excessively has repercussions for the intervener. In this article we will talk precisely about one of these consequences, called empathy burnout syndrome as well as its effects.
In recent years, the use of the term burnout has been increasing to refer to the fact that a person is already “burned out” by so much work and stress. It is a physical, mental and emotional exhaustion It means it’s time to take a break and relax. This syndrome applies to anyone who has a job or is a student, since they have a daily workload and are subject to stress.
Something similar happens in the health professions, especially with those professionals who are in constant contact with patients who are or have suffered highly stressful experiences. It is known as empathy burnout syndrome or compassion fatigue. term proposed by psychologist Charles Figley within Psychotraumatology It is a consequence of the emotional residue of dealing with people who have or are going through trauma.
Symptoms
The symptoms of this syndrome are divided into 3 groups.
An unresolved traumatic experience may arise associated with the patient’s conflict. Rumination of thoughts about an event and flashbacks appear
2. Avoidance and emotional dulling
Stress can accumulate session after session if you do not have the required emotional intelligence or the patient situations you have to deal with are very strong, this can cause emotional saturation, irritability, and frustration. Avoidance of certain places, situations or people that remind you of the traumatic event. It can lead to isolation or neglect of interpersonal relationships
In the case of psychologists in charge of providing Psychological First Aid, it is due to the high exposure to risk factors during their work.
3. Hyperarousal or hyperarousal
Constant feeling of fatigue, anxiety, feelings of guilt or shame Sleep problems, difficulty concentrating, panic, and extreme excitement over small stimuli may also occur.
Recommendations to manage this emotional crisis
The syndrome can appear progressively or it can be sudden, like a bomb that only depends on time running out to explode. Therefore, it is important to learn to recognize the signs and symptoms in order to know When to make the decision to take a break and implement self-care guidelines It is extremely important, to provide therapy or deal with patients, that the participants have good mental health.
Some recommendations for self-care of those involved are:
As health professionals, it is essential to recognize and accept that psychological support and a break from daily activities are also needed from time to time. The problem is that many times a “double agenda” is carried out; abnormal symptoms are easily identified in any patient, but this is not the case when it comes to oneself. This is why self-knowledge and the implementation of preventive self-care measures must be promoted.
