Compassion fatigue - help!

[PoliteSquid]

Long story, 10 years of background…. I’ve tried to be a good friend over the past few months, but now I think I’m being taken advantage of. My friend has invisible disabilities as well as life limiting illness… on top of that she’s lost a parent and the surviving parent cannot live independently much longer. The default position seems to be to assume that PoliteSquid will help… and I’ve had enough! I have my own family, a full time job and limited time/finance. Have any of you got over feeling compassion fatigue?

I understand how you feel, I'm also a 'helper' by nature and have found myself committing more time / effort to others in the past than I had the reserves for.
Just remember it doesn't have to be all or nothing. There is nothing wrong with saying no. If you need a break just say so, be upfront. Help when you're able and say no when you aren't.
You aren't responsible for how the other person handles that. A good friend in a two way friendship with understand. If she doesn't, that will tell you to take a step back.
It took me to long to figure out the problem wasn't with people asking me for help, it was with me giving it when I wasn't able - for whatever reason. Resentment then builds up quickly which isn't good for your friendship either.