Understanding Compassion Fatigue

By Nicole marino, amft

As a therapist, I’ve sat across from many individuals whose emotional resilience has been worn thin—not only from their own struggles, but from carrying the pain of others. Caregivers, therapists, teachers, first responders, and parents and spouses can find themselves in a state of exhaustion that feels deeper than burnout. This is compassion fatigue, and it often comes quietly, disguised as irritability, numbness, or a slow withdrawal from the very relationships we value most.

What Is Compassion Fatigue?

Compassion fatigue is a form of emotional and physical exhaustion that results from prolonged exposure to the suffering of others. Unlike burnout, which stems from work-related stress and overcommitment, compassion fatigue is more personal—it strikes when your empathy becomes a source of depletion rather than connection.

In my sessions, I often see this in people who are "helpers" by nature. They pour themselves into so many different areas of life, believing love and dedication should be enough to sustain them. But over time, without proper boundaries and self-care, their capacity for giving empathy begins to dry up.

Signs You Might Be Experiencing Compassion Fatigue

Compassion fatigue can manifest in subtle ways. Some signs I frequently observe include:

• Emotional numbness or detachment

• Chronic fatigue or difficulty sleeping

• A growing sense of helplessness or hopelessness

• Irritability or short-temperedness in close relationships

• Loss of joy in previously fulfilling activities

• Feeling "used up" or overwhelmed by the needs of others

For those in caregiving roles—whether personal or professional—it can feel like there’s no room for their own needs. This is often where relational strain begins to show.

When compassion fatigue goes unaddressed, it affects more than the individual—it ripples through relationships. Spouses may feel distant or disconnected. Children may notice a parent's impatience or withdrawal. Emotional availability becomes harder to maintain when someone is constantly drained.

Healing from Compassion Fatigue

The path to healing starts with recognition. Compassion fatigue is not a weakness—it’s a natural consequence of caring deeply over time without adequate replenishment. Once recognized, there are several steps to begin recovery:

1. Reestablish Boundaries

Learn to say no or delegate. Empathy doesn't mean sacrificing your well-being.

2. Prioritize Self-Care

Rest is not indulgent—it's necessary. Engage in activities that restore you physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

3. Seek Support

Talk to a therapist or a peer group. Sharing your experience helps break the isolation that often accompanies compassion fatigue.

4. Reignite Connection

Reconnect with loved ones in small, meaningful ways. Even short moments of genuine presence can be healing.

5. Practice Self-Compassion

You're allowed to be tired. You're allowed to need care, too.

If you recognize yourself in this post, please know that you're not alone. Compassion fatigue doesn't mean you're broken—it means you're human. You have limits, and honoring those limits is one of the most compassionate things you can do—not just for yourself, but for those you love and serve.

I believe that empathy is one of our greatest strengths. But like any strength, it must be nurtured, balanced, and protected. Give yourself permission to rest. In doing so, you’ll find you have more to give—not less.

How Compassion-Scarcity Can Challenge A Couple When Baby Comes Along

By Anne Decore, lmft

Compassion-scarcity can become a silent intruder during a couple’s transition to parenthood. This is a time of great joy, but also a time of great upheaval and new demands. If not addressed, compassion scarcity can silently sowing seeds of resentment and fostering negative interactional patterns.

Here’s how it develops.

When a couple is low on vital resources (as they are when a baby arrives!) such as sleep, time, and energy, compassion – the capacity to feel concern for someone else’s suffering – also becomes scarce between partners. In part, this is because when we are burnt-out it is simply harder to consider someone else. But another part is driven by the scarcity mindset itself: we are driven to withhold compassion by a subconscious fear of giving without reciprocation.

Here’s an example of what this might look like between two new parents:

One person says “I had a brutal night, I’m so tired. The baby was up every hour.”

The other replies “her crying woke me up too, and I have to go to work today.”

“Are you implying taking care of a baby all day isn’t work? It’s harder and certainly more important work than your job!”

“Oh really? Who pays for the house and food and designer baby clothes you purchase?”

And so on, and so forth.

At its core, compassion-scarcity arises when partners struggle to empathize with each other's feelings, experiences, or perspectives. This scarcity then leads to emotional distance, miscommunication, and resentment.

You can see how this interactional sequence is underpinned by a withholding of compassion. If a response of compassion was offered (“this is so hard, I’m so sorry. How can we support each other through this long day?”) at any turn by either partner a softening might occur, an opportunity for connection. Instead, each partner refuses to offer compassion because each partner isn’t receiving any compassion. Here they get stuck in the compassion-scarcity cul-de-sac. It’s a place that lacks curiosity and is defined by biased comparisons and score-keeping. What’s so unfortunate about this place is that two people who are going through the same stressor feeling completely alone in their experience.

You can guide yourself out of this pattern. Here’s how:

1. Build a culture of appreciation and acknowledgment within the relationship. Practice voicing validation, gratitude, and curiosity in times of low stress so that it still flows, out of habit, in times of high stress.

2. Name it to tame it. Notice the scarcity fear creeping in that keeps you from validating your partner’s experience and name it to yourself like this: “I’m afraid to give my partner empathy because I need it too and what if I don’t get it?” Next, have self-compassion about toward that fear: “This is a hard time, it makes sense, self, that you would feel that way.” Then, make a shift: remind yourself that the more you give the more you get. Tell yourself “acknowledging my partner’s hardship doesn’t mean my hardships are invalid.” Empathy tends to activate empathy – it grows the pie. There is room for two.

3. Take time as a couple to talk to one another about your individual needs (biological, psychological, and social). Talk about the ways you can create an abundance mindset when it comes to supporting each other emotionally during the transition to parenthood. Seeking professional help, such as couples' therapy or counseling, can be immensely beneficial to aid with these conversations.

Addressing compassion-scarcity in a relationship requires patience and mutual commitment. By consciously nurturing understanding and validation couples can create an environment that fosters compassion and strengthens their connection during the ups and downs of new parenthood.