All of the responsibilities that come with being a caregiver can start to weigh you down after a while. If you don’t have support – through in home care from a care specialist or from family – you’ve got to carry all that weight by yourself, which can lead to caregiver burnout. You should be aware that caregiver burnout isn’t just a word that people use to describe the simple fatigue (though this is a symptom) associated with caring for a loved one. In fact, the signs and symptoms of this state of physical and mental fatigue are similar to those of anxiety and depression, both serious conditions if not treated and maintained.
If you feel like you might be nearing your mental, physical, or emotional capacity, take a moment to read the following signs of caregiver burnout before determining how to proceed in your role.
Self-Isolation
Caregiving can be isolating on its own because you’re busy, but when you actively avoid talking to and seeing the people who you normally enjoy socializing with, you might be experiencing one of the signs of burnout. If you’ve withdrawn from your friends and family, consider reaching out for help.
Changes in Eating Habits
As a caregiver, a lot of your time might be spent on meal planning, cooking, and making sure your loved one is getting the proper nutrition. But what about your own eating habits? If your eating habits have changed recently and you’ve begun eating much more or much less than normal, that’s a sign that you might be experiencing caregiver burnout.
Loss of Interest
Before you became a caregiver, what did you enjoy to do with your free time? Did you like to read? Were you a musician? Did you work with your hands? Caregiver burnout often manifests as a loss of interest in the activities that you love. You could be experiencing depression because of burnout, so it’s important to talk to a mental health professional if you experience this sign.
Changes in Sleeping Patterns
Like changes in your eating habits, changes in sleep patterns can be indicative of caregiver burnout. If you can’t fall asleep, wake up multiple times during the night, or oversleep, you probably have too much on your plate. Talk to your support system of family and friends, and if they cannot help, talk to an in home care specialist about respite care.
Increased Vulnerability to Sickness
When you’re stressed and are not taking care of yourself enough, your immune system can become vulnerable. If you’ve been getting sick more often than you usually do, it might be time to let someone else take over your responsibilities for a while. You’re no use to your loved one when you’re sick, and you might actually pose a risk to their health.
Need In Home Care?
As a caregiver to an important person in your life, you need to make sure to avoid caregiver burnout. To learn more about long-term and temporary in home care solutions, call Granny Nannies Miami at (305) 591-1818 today. We offer a free in home care consultation.