I had been dealing with several very difficult adolescent cases. The girls weren't the problem; it was the dysfunctional setting they were having to make sense of. I was aware that I was stressed but didn't have a name for it. For some reason, being able to name my dysfunction helps me to become functional again. The list is taken from a page of Compassion Fatigue by Charles R. Figley, Ph.D. On the page are various categories of areas in which we can exhibit stress. I was there in almost every column: diminished concentration, spaciness (not the greatest for driving), powerlessness, depleted, clingy (and whiney--my poor co-workers), irritable (downright snarly), and feeling a bit isolated.
Fortunately I caught myself before I caught a cold or some other dreaded disease (lowering of immune system). I immediately went into my self-care mode. I reactivated my sense of humor (this can get lost easily) and briefly called one of my support persons who also has a great sense of humor. That evening I pampered myself with candle, incense, and a long soothing soak in the tub.
Another tool I use is visualization. Instead of becoming physically ill, I open my mouth and image all of the toxic "stuff" I have absorbed. This is usually a good indication of what the individuals I am listening to have needed to purge themselves of. It has to go somewhere when it leaves them. If it doesn' t get left in my office closet, I seem to take it in. Some of the images which may come out are black smoke, black tar, green slime, broken shards of glass, sharp splinters of wood, snakes, gray powder, and volumes of tears. Now no one has to carry that pain and poison around anymore.
As long as I stay alert to these signs of vicarious traumatization, and remember that I am not the person's savior, things don't lose meaning, I don't experience burnout and I continue to be effective in my work.
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