Compassion Fatigue vs. Burnout: What’s the Difference?

Common compassion fatigue symptoms and signs include:

Feeling hopeless

Having a decreased ability to empathize (emotional numbness)

Experiencing a sense of detachment from your surroundings 

Anxiety

Irritability

Physical symptoms, like headaches and gastrointestinal issues

“Compassion fatigue often manifests subtly over time, sometimes not allowing the individual to recognize the signs. Hence, it is important to observe if emotional exhaustion, anger or irritability, difficulty concentrating, and sleeping disturbances are frequently experienced.”

– Talkspace therapist Cynthia Catchings, PhD, LCSW

What is Burnout?

Burnout is different from compassion fatigue. It stems from chronic workplace stress that isn’t sufficiently managed that can cause intense mental, emotional, and physical exhaustion. Unlike temporary stress, burnout is a persistent condition that impacts everything from daily motivation to connecting and dealing with work responsibilities. 

Unfortunately, burnout is a widespread issue across all industries and professions, with caregiver burnout and nurse burnout being especially common. It can affect people who work in high-pressure environments as much as it does those tasked with mundane or routine jobs.

Severe physical and emotional exhaustion

A growing sense of cynicism toward a job or responsibility 

A noticeable decrease in on-the-job efficacy

Feeling increasingly detached from responsibilities

Reduced productivity

Lack of accomplishment

Key Differences Between Compassion Fatigue and Burnout

When you understand the differences between compassion fatigue vs burnout, you can address each condition more effectively. Both are related to stress that can cause significant physical and emotional exhaustion, but it’s essential to know the distinct causes, symptoms, and pathways to recovery. Then, you can identify, address, and avoid both and foster a healthier professional and personal environment while improving your overall well-being.

Causes

Compassion fatigue and burnout causes differ in origin. Prolonged exposure to other people’s suffering contributes to compassion fatigue. Thus, it’s something people in caregiving professions — like health care, social workers, and mental health professionals — are more prone to. The constant need to care for others who are in distress can take an emotional toll over time. 

Emotional impact

Compassion fatigue and burnout have different emotional impacts. When you experience compassion fatigue, it can be difficult to empathize, and you might feel emotional numbness or detached from people in need. You may experience guilt about not being able to care for others like you once did. 

Burnout, on the other hand, tends to cause cynicism and frustration toward your workplace or job. You might begin to have a negative attitude about work and feel unappreciated, undervalued, or even resentful. 

Behavioral symptoms

People with compassion fatigue often withdraw from social interactions or become less interested in things they once enjoyed. Some turn to unhealthy and unhelpful coping mechanisms, like substance use. Others may have a hypervigilant response that puts them in a constant state of alertness and makes it nearly impossible to relax. 

Behaviors associated with burnout can include procrastination, lack of productivity, and increased absenteeism. People who are burned out often exhibit decreased performance or productivity at work, seem more irritable, and have out-of-character conflicts with coworkers or colleagues. 

Physical symptoms

Both compassion fatigue and burnout have physical symptoms, but they manifest differently. The first tends to cause physical stress-related symptoms, like headaches, fatigue, gastrointestinal issues, disrupted sleep, and chronic tiredness. 

Recovery and prevention 

Recovering from or preventing compassion fatigue and burnout takes different strategies and coping tools. To adequately address compassion fatigue, you should practice self-care, find ways to emotionally replenish yourself, and work on setting protective boundaries. 

You can and should seek support from peers, supervisors, friends, and loved ones who lift you up in your time of need. Therapy can be a crucial part of surviving compassion fatigue. 

“It is important to seek peer support and create a self-care plan tailored to your needs. This includes practicing self-care, mindfulness, and talking to a mental health professional.”

  – Talkspace therapist Cynthia Catchings, PhD, LCSW

Take Action: Seeking Support and Resources

Recognizing and addressing compassion fatigue and burnout early is vital to overcoming either condition. Left unchecked, both can lead to long-term emotional, physical, and mental health struggles that are more difficult to manage. The following tips can help reduce symptoms and prevent things from escalating. 

Strategies that can help you deal with compassion fatigue and burnout:

Prioritize self-care: Regularly practice self-care that promotes relaxation and a sense of joy. Exercise, hobbies, and spending time with loved ones can all help replenish your emotional and physical energy.

Set and enforce boundaries: Learning the art of saying no and establishing boundaries between work and personal life can prevent or reduce work-related stress.

Find social support: Reach out to friends, family, or colleagues for support and advice. Sharing your experiences and struggles with people you trust can help alleviate feelings of isolation.

Limit exposure when possible: Limiting exposure to the source of stress can be hugely beneficial. Look for areas where you can reduce your time in high-stress environments or take breaks between emotionally demanding jobs.

Adjust your workload: Take time off if you’re feeling overwhelmed. Work-life balance is critical to preventing burnout and compassion fatigue.

Engage in professional development: Furthering your education or pursuing training in stress management, resilience building, and coping strategies can be a lifeline that helps you endure stress.

Find professional mental health support: Therapy can be a game-changer in managing compassion fatigue and burnout. A therapist can offer valuable insights and teach you coping strategies tailored to your needs. Therapy is a safe space to explore your feelings and process your experiences so you can get a personalized plan designed to help you deal with stress in healthy ways.

Nurturing Your Well-being in High-Stress Roles

Surviving compassion fatigue and burnout isn’t always easy, but it is possible when you have the right information and help. Recognizing the signs and taking deliberate steps to manage your stress will protect you. Remember that investing in yourself isn’t a luxury — it’s a necessity that allows you to continue caring for others while protecting and nurturing your own health and well-being.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, don’t hesitate to seek professional support. Talkspace offers convenient online therapy that’s tailored to your unique needs. It’s the first step you’ll take towards better mental health. Licensed Talkspace therapists offer flexibility so you can fit therapy into your life when, where, and how you need it. Whether you’re seeking stress management guidance or long-term therapeutic support, Talkspace can connect you with essential resources.