empathy fatigue

Empathy fatigue, also known as compassion fatigue, is a state of emotional exhaustion that occurs when someone continuously cares for or helps others who are suffering. It can lead to feeling overwhelmed, detached, or less able to empathize over time. This is common among caregivers, healthcare workers, or anyone regularly exposed to others’ distress. Essentially, it’s the emotional toll of maintaining compassion in demanding situations, which can impact mental well-being and reduce the ability to effectively support others. Recognizing and managing empathy fatigue is important for sustaining emotional health and effective caregiving.