The Mental Emotional Health Blog

These quotes below are from Samuel Johnson (1709-1784).

• I have no more pleasure in hearing a man attempting wit and failing, than in seeing a man trying to leap over a ditch and tumbling into it.
• It matters not how a man dies, but how he lives. The act of dying is not of importance, it lasts so short a time.
• The longer we live, and the more we think, the higher value we learn to put on the friendship and tenderness of parents and of friends. Parents we can have but once; and he promises himself too much, who enters life with the expectation of finding many friends. (I disagree, and think a person can have many friends.)
• I had done all that I could; and no man is well pleased to have his all neglected, be it ever so little.
• Integrity without knowledge is weak and useless, and knowledge without integrity is dangerous and dreadful.
• Study requires solitude, and solitude is a state dangerous to those who are too much accustomed to sink into themselves.

Compassion fatigue is what I call a long-term reaction to providing care. This can happen in health care providers, emergency personnel, personal caregivers, and other situations. The term “Secondary Traumatic Stress Disorder” is also used to describe this condition. I think that sounds scarier than compassion fatigue, but if it gets a caregiver’s or provider’s attention enough to watch out for and prevent the signs, then I suppose that term is useful.

Compassion fatigue happens after focusing on others’ needs over a long period of time without practicing enough appropriate self-care. Caring for others can give energy and take away energy in general, but over time the energy can drain away and the caregiver can become less compassionate or can feel burned out.

A good website for this condition is here .  The bottom line is:  if you are providing care for others, take care of yourself. Taking care of yourself includes decent eating and rest habits, and probably walking or an exercise program.

I have been guilty of slacking on these at times, and as a clinical therapist I can attest that sometimes I have gotten worn out. Taking care of myself after I haven’t for a while helps me bounce back fairly well. It’s amazing what proper rest, eating, and some regular working out can do to rejuvenate. Vacations are nice too. Most important is breaking up your routine if it is becoming a grind.

Take care of yourself!

Hello to my loyal readers. I apologize for not posting much lately. Life got busier than usual the last couple weeks.

Please look for a new post next week.

 Thank you and take care, everyone!

Devin