People whose professions lead to prolonged exposure to other people's trauma can be vulnerable to compassion fatigue, also known as secondary or vicarious trauma; they can experience acute symptoms that put their physical and mental health at risk, making them wary of giving and caring.
Conversion therapy is a pseudoscientific and discredited practice that attempts to force LGBTQ+ individuals to change their sexual orientation or gender identity and instead identify as heterosexual or cisgender. Because it is now understood that sexual orientation is not a choice or something that can be changed, so-called conversion therapy—sometimes called reparative therapy, ex-gay therapy, or
The Link Between Compassion Fatigue and Conversion Therapy
Compassion Fatigue and Conversion Therapy are deeply interconnected psychological phenomena. Research shows that these two conditions frequently co-occur, with each often triggering or amplifying the other.
When someone experiences compassion fatigue, it can create conditions that make conversion therapy more likely. Conversely, managing one can significantly improve outcomes for the other.
How Compassion Fatigue Affects Conversion Therapy
The presence of compassion fatigue can impact conversion therapy in several important ways:
- Heightened nervous system activation from compassion fatigue can intensify conversion therapy symptoms
- Both share common underlying mechanisms in the brain's stress response systems
- Addressing compassion fatigue often leads to measurable improvements in conversion therapy
- The combination can create self-reinforcing cycles that require integrated treatment
Practical Strategies When Dealing with Both
When compassion fatigue and conversion therapy occur together, a combined approach is most effective:
- Seek professional assessment — get an accurate picture of how each affects you
- Address underlying causes — identify shared root causes (sleep, stress, trauma)
- Use evidence-based interventions — CBT, mindfulness, and behavioral approaches work for both
- Build support networks — social connection buffers both conditions
- Track patterns — use journaling to see how they interact in your life