Please Don't Reach Empathy Fatigue

There have been many references to World War Two lately. This is the reference point for current affairs.?

Yet, this is unlike World War Two in many ways. During WW2, news was spread through newspapers with grainy images, and over radio speeches.?

There was a disconnect between battlefield tragedy and the public's ability to see this tragedy. Not only in that the technology was not able to reproduce it, but also in the sense of time.?

This is the first war in history that we can watch on Tik Tok. This is the first war in history in which everyone is a war reporter. This is the first war in history in which we can watch a live stream of the invasion.?

What will be the psychological impact of this?

Some of us have above-average levels of empathy. This is something I possess, and it works well in my field of work. I often sense the emotions of everyone in the room. It's common for me to know what you are feeling before you do.?

This can be both a blessing and a curse.?

In relation to current events, though, I think it could be a warning system.?

I find myself already experiencing what we psychologists call "empathy fatigue."

Empathy, like many psychological processes, is a limited resource.?

In an ideal world, I would like to have an endless amount of empathy.?

But just like I cannot run endless miles without tiring, I cannot live in a state of constant empathy without breaking.?

I hate admitting this.?

But I am going to admit this because I think it is crucial for the continued support of the Ukrainian people.?

It is not the job of the Ukrainian people to manage your empathy reserves or mine.

It is your job. It is my job.?

We often approach these things like children. Hoping for the best, caring until it hurts.?

Not knowing ourselves or our psychological limits.

Or maybe not willing to accept that we have limits.?

Then we burn out. We run out. We crash.?

We construct some narrative in our head about why we should stop caring.?

We believe that narrative. We stop watching the news. We stop sharing. We move on to some more palatable cause.?

Let me say this very clearly: it is your responsibility to manage your psychological state so you do not reach empathy fatigue.?

Because if you do, you are useless to this cause.?

I learned this the hard way over the weekend.?

Sobbing in the bathroom will not help anyone.?

Binge-watching the news and Tik Toks will not help anyone.?

The Ukrainian people do not want you to purge your life of joy.?

The Ukrainian people do not want you to live like a monk, depriving yourself of things that would rebuild your capacity to care.?

The Ukrainian people just want your help in whatever way you can provide it. That may be as simple as sharing our media.?

Please be aware of the incoming empathy fatigue. I am certain that it is coming. I do not want you to drop my people as a cause.?

This empathy fatigue will be more real and hit more quickly than any before due to our current technologies.?

It is not selfish of you to manage your energy. It is selfish of you to not.?

This war will be a marathon, so do not burn out now.?

We need each other. We need to be healthy enough to let each other in. If not, then Putin wins.?

Here are the emotional signs of empathy fatigue for you to be aware of:?

• Isolating yourself from others.
• Feeling numb or disconnected.
• Lack of energy to care about other things around you.
• Feeling overwhelmed, powerless or hopeless.
• Not being able to relate to others.
• Feeling angry, sad or depressed.
• Obsessive thoughts about the suffering of others.
• Feeling tense or agitated.?
• Feeling speechless or unable to respond appropriately to what’s happening around you?
• Self-blame.

Here are the physical signs:?

• Inability to concentrate, be productive or complete daily tasks.
• Headaches.
• Nausea or upset stomach.
• Difficulty sleeping?or constant racing thoughts.
• Self-medicating with drugs or?alcohol.?
• Conflicts in your relationships.
• Changes in your appetite.
• Feeling exhausted all the time.
• Avoiding work or other activities.

This is my request to you as a Ukrainian. Do not numb out.?

You are an adult. Manage your caring so you can keep caring.?

If you would like to learn about ways you can help the Ukrainian people right now, I have a post sharing various resources here.