Family Caregiver Burnout - When It's TOO MUCH 🕯️😤
#caregiverburnout #familycaregivers #emotionalhealth #emotionalrollercoasters #anxietyanddepression #familydynamics #dementiacare #dementiasupport #seekhelp
Family Caregiving is NOT for the faint hearted and despite our best intentions, the daily grind, the fatigue, the unexpected (almost everyday!), the loneliness, can lead to a cascade of emotions that can be difficult to understand, much less process, and leave you feeling as if "there is no way out".
When this goes on and on and there is that feeling of hopelessness and helplessness, consider the possibility that your "candle" is "burning down" and you are on fumes, endangering your health as you devote irretrievable time and money to care for your loved one, with the best of intentions.
CAREGIVER BURNOUT can be defined as :
"A state of physical, emotional and mental exhaustion that can happen when you dedicate time and energy to manage the health and safety of someone else. Caregivers who experience burnout may feel tired, stressed, withdrawn, anxious and depressed. Caregiver burnout can impact a person in various ways, including physically, psychologically, financially and socially".
Some signs and symptoms:
🕯️Emotional and physical exhaustion.
🕯️Withdrawal from friends, family and other loved ones.
🕯️Loss of interest in activities previously enjoyed.
🕯️Feeling hopeless and helpless.
🕯️Changes in appetite and/or weight.
🕯️Changes in sleep patterns.
🕯️Unable to concentrate.
🕯️Getting sick more often.
🕯️Irritability, frustration or anger toward others, many times against family members and friends who just don't seem to understand.
💥💥Call 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (U.S.). Someone is available to help you 24/7. Seek your local hotline crisis centre if you feel so overwhelmed that you are considering self harm.
When you have been thrust into this role and feel that all your best efforts at the daily grind is more than you can bear, burnout is a condition that NEEDS help; it is more than just "feeling tired".
The "superhero cape" needs to come off and it's time for YOU.
You got this!
One day/hour at a time
From my heart to yours💗
Dr. Lana
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If you're a Family Caregiver at your wit's end, needing a different perspective, set up your free 15-minute coaching call-also by email -lana@lanaannemd.com - or on www.lanaslittlethings.com
I always look forward to meeting Fellow Family Caregivers- we gotta stick together!💯
