"Are You Called to Comfort?" A Show on Compassion Fatigue

“Are You Called To Comfort”?  Join me today as we look at the phenonenom of compassion fatigue or caregiver's syndome.  Many of us are called to comfort and care for others. We are often  called to "care" for others, sometimes because we "have to",  and other times because we "want to".   It is most often, a combination of both the "have to" and the "want to".  So how do we "comfort others with the comfort we've received",  and do it in a  way that gives life to both the giver and reciever? Caregiver burnout is a state of physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion that may be accompanied by a change in attitude -- from positive and caring to negative and unconcerned. Burnout can occur when caregivers don't get the help they need, or if they try to do more than they are able -- either physically or financially. Many times caregivers who are "burned out" experience fatigue, stress, anxiety, and depressive symptims.  Many caregivers also feel guilty if they spend time on themselves rather than on their ill or elderly loved ones.  Today we will look at how to know if you are burning out, the feelings that come with caring for other another (on any level), and how to do it in a healthy way.  So, we ask the question again, "How do we comfort others with the comfort we've received,  and do it in a way that gives life to both the giver and reciever?  Most of all, we find that the ability to comfort well is always connected to the caregiver's ability and willingness to receive care.