72: Counter Compassion Fatigue: Expert Insights with Rashmi Bismark, MD MPH

Compassion itself is vast and inexhaustible but for those who care for others, systemic factors, secondary traumatic stress and cumulative overwhelm can become barriers to being able to express it fully and freely.

Today host Rachel talks about compassion fatigue with returning guest Rashmi Bismark. In this episode, we discuss the importance of preventative self-care for caregivers and how even simple rituals can create structured ways to acknowledge the burdens of care. We also talk about the value of being in community with others and why we should be reminding ourselves of the ways in which we are all connected.

Listen in to this episode as we explore what compassion fatigue is, who it impacts, how it differs from regular burnout and what we can do to counter its effects.

“Compassion fatigue is not a failure of somebody. It’s not that we’re not compassionate enough.” – Rashmi Bismark, MD MPH

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“We are, in many ways, depleting ourselves if we don’t care for ourselves along the way.” – Rashmi Bismark, MD MPH

Show Notes:

Secondary trauma and the role of detachment in health professionals [4:50]
Defining compassion and compassion fatigue [7:33]
Compassion fatigue versus burnout [11:26]
Compassion fatigue is not a failure or lack of compassion [14:40]
Summing up who is most commonly impacted [16:45]
Signs and symptoms of compassion fatigue [17:41]
Recognizing compassion fatigue in ourselves [19:40]
Don’t wait for systemic issues to be resolved [21:47]
Addressing compassion fatigue: a three-part approach [23:27]
Finding structured ways to recognize and acknowledge grief and other burdens [28:19]
Tools from yoga and mindfulness traditions [30:35]
The power of acting in community [34:50]
Fierce compassion and creating sustainable boundaries [37:27]
“What will nourish me?”: the power of explicit kindness to ourselves [40:29]
Clarifying your intentions as a helper or healer and exploring “compassion satisfaction” [42:37]
Summing up with the metaphor of a ghee lamp [46:02]
Further resources [51:58]