The Nature of Caregiving
Providing care for our loved ones is something we do. Mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, grandparents, and friends rally to be with a loved one who is ill or injured. Caregiving may span years if the illness is chronic or terminal or the injury is catastrophic.
Impact on Caregiver Health
The impact caregiving can have on one’s personal health is profound. Caregiving or supporting others brings added stress to the helper or caregiver. This is often attributed to the fact that the caregiver puts so much into helping or looking after the person that they begin to neglect themselves. Their day becomes about meeting the needs of their loved one. Caregivers often go without proper sustenance or rest; therefore, this puts them at risk for depression and other health problems.
Emotional Challenges
Caregiving is a demanding process and it often brings up our fears and unresolved grief. We are confronted with churned-up feelings and may experience feeling overwhelmed, irritable, angry, and anxious. It is important to acknowledge these feelings and understand that they are normal given the situation. Caregivers need to find safe and suitable ways to give expression to these feelings. Ignoring or stuffing these feelings will not make them go away—they will continue to manifest until the person works through them.
Understanding Compassion Fatigue
In the 1950s, Compassion Fatigue was mostly associated with individuals in caring professions such as nurses, psychologists, and first responders. Compassion Fatigue, also known as secondary traumatic stress (STC), is sometimes associated with a form of burnout. The term burnout is actually associated with tedious work rather than exposure to clients with specific issues like trauma.
However, Compassion Fatigue is seen in caregivers from all areas of life and can be attributed to an absence of self-care. I believe families caring for a loved one are at risk of developing Compassion Fatigue when not given adequate support or respite. The symptoms vary but can include apathy, sadness, poor concentration, physical and mental exhaustion, and more. If you are experiencing Compassion Fatigue, reach out to someone today for help. It is crucial.
Self-Care for Caregivers
It is critical that caregivers give themselves permission to take care of their own basic needs. The saying “if you don’t take care of yourself, you will be no good to anyone” is especially true for the caregiver. If you want to go the distance, pace yourself. This includes taking a break from the caregiving routine and allowing others to handle the situation for a brief period. Initially it may be difficult to do, but I promise, you will feel rejuvenated!
