CAREGIVER STRESS
Caregiving is a valuable and meaningful human activity that deserves to be more appreciated than it is. In addition to the contributions of professional caregivers, who are the heroes of the COVID-19 pandemic, there are also family caregivers doing invaluable work, and a growing awareness of young carers who are also a vital, yet
potentially vulnerable, part of the healthcare workforce who have been invisible until recently.
The Health Risks of Caregiver Stress
Caregiving stress is real, whether you are caring for an aging parent, an ill spouse, a family member with mental illness, a special needs child ... or for a loved one in another situation. Your challenge is to find a way to live your life, and balance your needs with your love and duty toward your loved one. If this balance is off your physical and mental health will suffer and no-one benefits. Exercise is important, as is eating well, and time for yourself and what you love. Setting time aside to talk through the issues with a therapist, who is focused on you, can be a helpful. Together you and I, can work towards coming to terms with the situation, and identifying what you need for your self-care.
Information on Caregiving
The Long-term Effects on Adults of Childhood Caregiving
Today we know that young carers need to be treated as children within their families, and not be expected to function as adults, or in parentified roles, if they are to be mentally healthy. Young carers need support, recognition, and education. This awareness is fairly recent.
So ... if as a child or young person, you cared for a family member with a mental illness, an alcohol problem, or a physical illness, you are probably highly sensitive to the needs of others. Along with the pride, compassion, and skills gained from such life experiences, you also ran the risk of becoming a habitual caregiver, of relating to others by needing to be needed. Perhaps you chose a profession in which you use the caregiving skills you learned as a child, or you continue to be a caregiver in your family?
Caregiving becomes detrimental to well being if you have trouble recognizing your own feelings and needs, and expressing them, or if you tend to find yourself in one-way relationships and feel resentful. These are signs that you may need to figure out who you are, and what you want in life, apart from caring for others. Recovering your essential self, finding your own voice, and learning to choose more reciprocal relationships will enrich your life. Together, you and I, can begin the journey to yourself, and to rewarding relationships, so that when you choose to care for others,
it is a choice made with awareness.
Book an Appointment.