What are some signs of compassion fatigue?

• A. Increased appetite and desire to socialize.
• B. Difficulty focusing, anxiety, disruptive behavior with coworkers, and problems connecting with clients.
• C. Excessively cheerful mood and over-optimism.
• D. Improved memory and energy.

Answer: (B)

Compassion fatigue arises from prolonged exposure to others’ suffering, leading to emotional and cognitive exhaustion that makes it harder to stay present and empathetic. The most recognizable signs involve how someone thinks, feels, and relates to others in the caregiving role. Difficulty focusing reflects the mental drain that can come with ongoing stress. Anxiety signals ongoing emotional distress from bearing others’ pain. Disruptive behavior with coworkers shows how stress can spill into professional relationships, while problems connecting with clients points to a waning ability to empathize and engage in therapeutic rapport. These patterns together capture the draining impact on attention, mood, and interpersonal connection that defines compassion fatigue. Other options describe states that aren’t typical of this condition—for example, increased appetite and socializing, an excessively cheerful mood, or boosted memory and energy—none of which align with the emotional numbness and exhaustion characteristic of compassion fatigue.