What is Compassion Fatigue and Empathy?

When I first heard the phrase, "compassion fatigue", I thought, "yes, I think I have that!" However, when I looked up the definition, I thought to myself, I only have it partially. Here is the definition: Compassion fatigue, also known as secondary traumatic stress, is a condition characterized by a gradual lessening of compassion over time." It's caused by listening to others' stories of trauma and experiencing stress taken on from the student (or client if you are a therapist). I don't agree that my compassion lessons over time. I just take on the students' feelings and emotions as I listen to a lot of stories in a short amount of time.  

I kept looking for the right phrasing of what I was experiencing.  I was speaking with a student on the topic and she said that people who experience others' feelings deeply are called "Empaths," so I looked up that definition and this is what it said, "Empaths are highly sensitive individuals, who have a keen ability to sense what people around them are thinking and feeling. Psychologists may use the term empath to describe a person that experiences a great deal of empathy, often to the point of taking on the pain of others at their own expense."

OK, so I have part of that definition too. I am sensitive and keen to what students are thinking and feeling and have great empathy, but I don't take on others' pain. My issue is that I hear so many stories in a short period of time that I am totally exhausted when I get home from work. 

While searching online about this condition, I found this well written article (short read) that expresses my thoughts also! Take a read. The most important take away is to take care of yourself (myself!) and be aware when you (I) need a break or a mental health day!

Empathy and Compassion Fatigue