brand logo

Fam Pract Manag. 2000;7(6):13

To the Editor:

The article “Overcoming Compassion Fatigue” touched my life deeply. The term “compassion fatigue” is excellent, and the description of physical, mental, emotional and spiritual exhaustion is so true.

I lost a practice opportunity because of the way I chose to deal with my fatigue, stress, depression and other negative emotions. Fortunately, I'm blessed with a wonderfully supportive husband and a close circle of friends who have helped me in the healing process. And I have worked with a psychiatrist who prescribed appropriate medications for the anxiety, depression and sleep disturbances. But it took three months before I could say, “I'm ready to go back to work.”

With the help of this article, I plan to develop my own “practice principles” to assist me in sorting my priorities as I interview for positions.

Thank you for addressing an issue that many experience but don't know how to put into words.

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU

Send your comments to fpmedit@aafp.org. Submission of a letter will be construed as granting AAFP permission to publish the letter in any of its publications in any form. We cannot respond to all letters we receive. Those chosen for publication will be edited for length and style.

Continue Reading


More in FPM

Copyright © 2000 by the American Academy of Family Physicians.

This content is owned by the AAFP. A person viewing it online may make one printout of the material and may use that printout only for his or her personal, non-commercial reference. This material may not otherwise be downloaded, copied, printed, stored, transmitted or reproduced in any medium, whether now known or later invented, except as authorized in writing by the AAFP.  See permissions for copyright questions and/or permission requests.