Caregiver Burnout: Symptoms and Treatment for Caregiver Role Strain

Did you know that between 17 to 35% of family caregivers consider their health poor?

While taking care of a family member can be a rewarding role for many, it can take a toll on a person.

Caregiver role strain is a real condition that affects many caregivers. If you suspect you’re suffering from caregiver burnout, you came to the right place.

Read on to get started.

What is a Caregiver?

A caregiver is a person who takes care of another person and provides specific care. Most caregivers take care of a person who is ill or suffering from a disability.

Caregivers help individuals with basic care, either short or long term. While they don’t help with medical care, they perform very valuable work.

For starters, caregivers might help with cooking, grocery shopping, bathing, and any other activities the individual might need help with.

Types of Caregivers

Even though caregivers provide care to anyone in need, there are different types of caregivers.

Private-Duty Caregivers: Private-duty caregivers work with an agency that screens them and places them with a person in need. Some families often go through an agency to find a qualified caregiver.

Independent Caregivers: Unlike private-duty caregivers, independent caregivers don’t work with an agency. While hiring a private caregiver might be cheaper, families don’t have the peace of mind of knowing the person has been screened and background checked.

Family Caregiver: A family caregiver is a family member that temporarily takes care of another. Family caregivers often keep their job and take care of their ill family member on top of their other responsibilities.

What is Caregiver Burnout?

Caregiver burnout is a condition experienced by a caregiver when they start to feel stressed and overwhelmed. Those experiencing burnout or strain become unable to perform the basic responsibilities of being a caregiver.

Those caregivers suffering from strain or burnout often experience severe stress or anxiety. These feelings are often triggered due to the sudden new role as a caregiver and change in dynamic.

Caregiver burnout is also triggered by the financial burden that comes with caring for someone who needs special care.

What Causes Caregiver Burnout?

Caregiver burnout often starts when a caregiver neglects their physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. They’re often too busy taking care of their loved ones that they forget about their basic needs.

Role confusion is often a factor that leads to caregiver burnout or strain. The strain begins when they start to have trouble separating their caregiver role from their other roles. They forget they are also a spouse, child, lover, friend, and others.

Caregiver burnout also happens when the person sets unrealistic expectations for themselves. Although they want to make a positive impact on the person’s health, it’s sometimes impossible depending on the illness or disability. For example, it’s difficult to make a positive impact on someone suffering from Alzheimer’s.

Many caregivers start suffering strain when they slowly lose control. When they stop having control over finances or their own lives, their burdens will start to seem bigger.

When caregivers have unreasonable demands on top of caring for their family member, they’re more likely to suffer from burnout. Some of them might have full-time jobs, children, a spouse, and more on top of taking care of their ill loved one.

Browse link for more info on how to identify caregiver burnout.

Signs of Caregiver Burnout

Although it’s normal to feel some stress and anxiety when caring for an ill or disabled family member, too much burnout can take a toll on a caregiver’s health. Taking care of a family member is a big responsibility, but it shouldn’t damage a caregiver’s health.

When caregiver strain starts to take over a caregiver’s life, they might experience greater levels of anger, loneliness, and guilt.

Some of the basic symptoms of caregiver burnout include:

• Problems sleeping or insomnia
• Exhaustion
• Irritability
• Changes in appetite
• Social withdrawal
• Loss of interest (hobbies, sex, or work)
• Increase crying

Those experiencing these or more symptoms might be dealing with caregiver burnout. If they cannot manage these symptoms, it can become a dangerous situation.

How to Prevent and Treat Caregiver Burnout

If you suspect you’re suffering from caregiver burnout, there are some things you can do to prevent and treat it.

Prioritize Your Health

Caregivers often prioritize the health of those they’re caring for and neglect their own. If you’re following in this pattern, it’s time you start prioritizing your health.

The best way to take care of your health is by getting enough sleep, eating healthy, and managing your stress. Taking care of your health also includes your mental health.

Talking to a therapist will help you get the support you need to manage your burnout.

Bond with Your Family Member

If you feel a disconnect from your family member, it could be hurting both of you.

Are you spending quality time with your family member you’re caring for? Make sure you make a mental note on how you’re spending time with them.

Do you find yourself losing your patience? When was the last time you did anything fun?

In order to start bonding with them, you can try exercising together, watching television, reading, or engaging in meaningful conversations.

Stay Organized

If a lack of organization is one of the main reasons why you’re feeling caregiver burnout, it’s time to do something about it.

Write down all of the things you have to do during the day and create an outline. Keep a tentative schedule of everything you need to accomplished, but don’t punish yourself if it doesn’t get done.

Having an idea of what you need to get done will help you feel more in control.

Talk to Someone

Take the time to talk to friends and family about what you’re feeling. Letting all of your feelings out will help you deal with these emotions.

Suffering from Caregiver Role Strain? You’re Not Alone

Now that you know how to deal with caregiver role strain, it’s time you get the help you need.

Start by identifying the source of the strain, don’t ignore the signs, prioritize your health, and stay organized.

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