Understanding Caregiver Stress

Caregiver stress may occur whether you are taking care of elderly parents, an Alzheimer's sufferer, or somebody with a chronic illness.

This type of stress can lead to caregiver burnout which reduces the quality of the provided care and leads to stress-related illnesses.

In short, caregiver stress is a problem for caregivers and the people who they are caring for.

There are millions of caregivers in USA in any given year looking after chronically ill, sick, or disabled friends and/or relatives.

Being a caregiver is a tough job!

Often the caregiver can feel that they have no sense of control over the person's recovery and that the person they are caring for does not resemble the person they once knew.

The stress of caregiving can affect the caregiver and the person being cared for.

How can you tell if you are suffering from caregiver burnout or stress?

Signs of Caregiver Burnout or Stress

Whether you are taking care of elderly parents, an Alzheimer's sufferer, or someone who is sick, there are a number of signs of caregiver burnout or stress.

These may include:

• feeling more irritable and moody than usual
• feeling depressed and experiencing low energy levels
• feeling more frustrated and angry than usual
• losing interest in your hobbies, friendships and other activities that you once found pleasurable
• feeling angry and resentful towards the person that you are caring for.

Caregiving can be a very stressful job and caregiver stress can be one of the main causes of stress for the family and caregiver.

The feelings that you are feeling are not wrong, they are just those of somebody under stress.

In many ways, caregiving is the "hidden patient" who carries the silent suffering of the person they are caring for.

This stress questionnaire is a famous stress test to determine how life events are affecting you.

If life events are getting the better of you then here are six characteristics that describe people who have high stress resilience in the face of their biggest causes of stress.

The impact of caregiver burnout and stress

Caregivers who have a history of chronic illness themselves are 63% more likely to die than those who are not caregivers (Journal of American Medical Association).

In the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences it was reported that those who suffer from caregiver stress are:

• more likely to display signs of stress that affect their mind and body
• more likely to have a weaker immune system as a result of the impact of stress and the immune system. This may result in more stress related illness
• 6 times more likely to suffer from anxiety and depression if they are the full-time caregiver of their spouse
• 2 times more likely to suffer from depression and anxiety if they are the full-time caregiver of parents (American Journal of Public Health)

These stress statistics make it important for the caregiver to look after themselves and look for ways to manage stress.

Just as you are focused on the needs of the person you are caring for, your overall health depends on you caring for yourself.

Chronic caregiver stress eventually leads to caregiver burnout.

For more information related to stress and health please see this article on does stress affect your overall health?

Some Tips for Caregiver Stress

When looking after somebody else probably one the first things that you are going to neglect is your own self-care as you put other's needs before your own.

In the long-term this can be detrimental to your health and well-being.

This is called Self-Care Deficiency Syndrome, a situation in which you are not giving yourself enough self-care.

Headaches, insomnia, indigestion and a general feeling of being overwhelmed or irritable can all be symptoms of Self-Care Deficiency Syndrome.

Caring for others is hard work and can lead to burnout and health issues. Here are four tips you can practice today:

1. Increase your awareness of your symptoms

   One of the first steps is to become aware of the stress that you are under and the emotions that you are feeling. What are your symptoms of stress?

   One of the best things to do to gain objective information about your stress levels is to download and fill out a stress diary for a week.

2. Listen to your body

   If you are tired then take a break.

   Pushing on only increases your fatigue and the risk of job burnout.

3. Set boundaries

   Make a decision to set good boundaries.

   You are likely to have many priorities and a to-do list as long as your arm.

   Learn to say "No" and learn the art of delegation.

   Also seek help from support groups and others who care for you.

4. Practice more self-care

   This can be difficult but permit yourself to practise self-care rather than feeling guilty about taking time for yourself.

   Design your own relaxation gift baskets and treat yourself like a king or queen....incorporate some of these best ways to relax....whatever you do, look for ways in which you are able to wind down and recharge your batteries.

Search here for other tips for reducing stress

Related stress management articles

Teen Stress: Understand and Reduce Teenager Stress

College Stress: Managing College Stress

Family Stress Management: Dealing with Family Stress

What Causes Stress: Identify Your Stress Causes

Main Cause of Stress: Put in Place Strategies to Beat Your Main Stress Causes

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