Whether you’re caring for a loved one or working as a professional caregiver, looking after someone with an injury, illness, or disability can both a rewarding and exhausting undertaking. More and more caregivers are reporting symptoms of stress that come from such a demanding job. This stress can often give way to caregiver burnout, which can put the caregiver at risk for depression, anxiety, heart disease, and high blood pressure. Managing stress and taking a break can be essential for avoiding these health issues.
What are Caregiver Stress and Caregiver Burnout?
Providing quality care for another individual can put a lot of pressure on a person. When this pressure begins to build up, it can lead to high levels of stress. If you are suffering from some of the following symptoms, you are probably experiencing caregiver stress:
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- Feeling frustrated, helpless, angry, or overwhelmed
- Making mistakes on the job
- Feeling tired or becoming irritable
- Suffering from lack of interest in favorite activities or other signs of depression
- Sleeping too much or too little
- Gaining or losing weight
Caregiver burnout can be understood as a more severe form of caregiver stress. It resembles a state of exhaustion, both mental and physical, and leads to more potent feelings of fatigue, stress, anxiety, and depression. Caregiver burnout is an increasingly common condition, with as many as two-thirds of caregivers suffering from burnout at some point. If not attended to, caregiver burnout can lead to serious health complications.
Taking a Break
Learning how to cope with stress and burnout is essential for caregivers who wish to continue providing quality care. If you feel like you’re suffering from caregiver burnout, the first thing to know is that you’re not alone. Caregiver burnout is a real condition, and it is common. If you’re suffering from depression or other psychological symptoms as a result, speaking with a trained mental health professional can be a great first step towards managing your burnout. There are also many other support systems available, including many support groups for caregivers.
If you feel like you need to step away, that’s okay, too. You may feel like you’re letting down a loved one by taking a break, but it’s important to be realistic about your capabilities. Continuing to serve as a caregiver when you’re too burned out to function properly doesn’t help anyone. While it can be difficult to turn a loved one over to another caregiver, there are lots of options available, whether to help fill in the gaps while you step away temporarily or for a more permanent solution. Remember, you’re doing the best you can, and you deserve a break.
Contact Bluewater Psychiatry
If you’re suffering from caregiver burnout or are otherwise noticing that you’re feeling the symptoms of depression, Bluewater Psychiatry is here to help. We offer a wide range of services, including psychiatric care for all ages and ketamine therapy, that can have you feeling like yourself again. Fill out the form below and get started today.