Research Paper:
Compassion Fatigue and How it Affects Sign Language Interpreters
Carly Atkinson
William Woods University
ITP 450
Compassion Fatigue is “a state experienced by those helping people or animals in distress; it is an extreme state of tension and preoccupation with the suffering of those being helped to the degree that it can create a secondary traumatic stress for the helper.” – Dr. Charles Figley Professor Tulane Traumatology Institute. Tulane University, New Orleans, LA. (Figley, C, 2014). Compassion Fatigue affects several people, in several different professions. It is something that can sneak up on the person before they know it. It is important to recognize the signs and symptoms that are associated with compassion fatigue.
Compassion fatigue is often times confused with Secondary PTSD/Vicarious Trauma and caregiver Burden. Franck Ochberg, MD, a psychiatrist and clinical professor of …show more content…
It is so important to maintain a healthy balance so that you are not consumed by your career. This goes for everything. A healthy diet, exercise routine, and sleep schedule could make a tremendous difference. Studies show that if you spend time doing something you enjoy, it can be a stress reliever. (Fletcher, T. 2012). Examples of this could include hiking, riding a bike, reading, knitting, drawing, etc.
• When you notice that you are having symptoms of compassion fatigue, ask yourself how to fix it. It is important to have knowledge on compassion fatigue so that you know what to do when the time comes.
• Lastly, be organized! If you organize your time, you can make time for yourself and take care of yourself. An unorganized schedule can add stress and make interpreters more susceptible to compassion fatigue. Tammy Fletcher advises people to “reserve your energy for what’s
Compassion Fatigue and How it Affects Sign Language Interpreters
Carly Atkinson
William Woods University
ITP 450
Compassion Fatigue is “a state experienced by those helping people or animals in distress; it is an extreme state of tension and preoccupation with the suffering of those being helped to the degree that it can create a secondary traumatic stress for the helper.” – Dr. Charles Figley Professor Tulane Traumatology Institute. Tulane University, New Orleans, LA. (Figley, C, 2014). Compassion Fatigue affects several people, in several different professions. It is something that can sneak up on the person before they know it. It is important to recognize the signs and symptoms that are associated with compassion fatigue.
Compassion fatigue is often times confused with Secondary PTSD/Vicarious Trauma and caregiver Burden. Franck Ochberg, MD, a psychiatrist and clinical professor of …show more content…
It is so important to maintain a healthy balance so that you are not consumed by your career. This goes for everything. A healthy diet, exercise routine, and sleep schedule could make a tremendous difference. Studies show that if you spend time doing something you enjoy, it can be a stress reliever. (Fletcher, T. 2012). Examples of this could include hiking, riding a bike, reading, knitting, drawing, etc.
• When you notice that you are having symptoms of compassion fatigue, ask yourself how to fix it. It is important to have knowledge on compassion fatigue so that you know what to do when the time comes.
• Lastly, be organized! If you organize your time, you can make time for yourself and take care of yourself. An unorganized schedule can add stress and make interpreters more susceptible to compassion fatigue. Tammy Fletcher advises people to “reserve your energy for what’s