Signs of Caregiving Stress

Ten Signs of Caregiver Stress

The following "Ten Signs of Caregiving Stress" were originally posted in 2002 on the then existing PSP forum provided by Johns Hopkins University.

Caregiving caused stress can take many forms... including...

  1. Denial about the disease and its effect on the person who has been diagnosed. ( Example: "I know mom's going to get better.")
  2. Anger at the patient or others: that no effective treatments or cures currently exist; and that people don't understand what's going on. (Example: "If he asks me that question one more time I'll scream!")
  3. Social withdrawal from friends and activities that once brought pleasure; the patient may not be left alone and there is no one else to 'spell' the caregiver. (Examples: "I don't care about getting together with friends any more.", "I can't get together with friends any more.")
  4. Anxiety about facing another day and what the future holds. (Example: "What happens when he/she needs more care than I can provide?")
    5. )
  5. Depression begins to break your spirit and affects your ability to cope. (Example: "I don't care any more.")
  6. Exhaustion makes it nearly impossible to complete necessary tasks. (Example: "I'm too tired for this.")
  7. Sleeplessness caused by a never ending list of concerns. (Examples: "What if he falls or chokes while I'm gone?", "What if she wanders away?")
  8. Irritability leads to moodiness and triggers negative responses and reactions. (Examples: "Leave me alone!", "Why did you spill that?")
  9. Lack of concentration makes it difficult to perform familiar tasks. (Example: "I was so busy.", "I forgot we had an appointment.")
  10. Health problems begin to take their toll, both mentally and physically. (Example: "I can't remember the last time I felt good.")

Remember:

Courtesy of the Alzheimer's Association


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Document last modified: 04/22/09 10:51:25 AM