Caregiver Fatigue

Taking care of loved ones can feel rewarding but also draining at times. It can sometimes feel overwhelming. How do you take care of others and make sure you're not neglecting your own needs? What happens when guilt makes it hard to prioritize those needs? When there's no balance, it can lead to caregiver fatigue and burnout.  

Caregiver fatigue can affect different people in different ways. You might feel tired constantly, not be sleeping well, or getting sick more often. Maybe you feel angry at your loved one, the situation, or yourself. You might be more irritable and snap at things that usually wouldn't bother you as much. Maybe some things that feel small hit you harder than it would hit other people. Your baseline stress level is already so high that something seemingly small gets you above the crying threshold. 

Many times, caregiving brings a lot of anxiety as well. You might be worried about if you're doing the right thing for your loved one or worried what will happen in the future if it becomes too much for you to handle on your own.  

Not only are your loved ones adjusting, but you are also adjusting to your new role as a caregiver. You're dealing with the stress of trying to navigate all the financial changes, routine changes, or relationship changes. Oftentimes, this comes with a sense of grief. You never imagined this happening and you're grieving the loss of the future you envisioned or you miss how things used to be and you're grieving the loss of the original relationship dynamic. With all these changes, it's hard to find time and motivation to take care of yourself. 

Therapy can be a space to process the complicated mix of feelings that often accompany caregiving. It can provide extra support to those whose lives revolve around supporting others and be a space to navigate the feelings of grief, anxiety and stress.