Coping with Caregiver Stress or Depression (Infographic)

Caring for a patient or a loved one can be very rewarding, but most of the time, it can contribute to higher stress levels—not only in the physical form, but also mentally and emotionally. This usually happens when you don’t get all the physical and emotional support you need, to the point that it makes you vulnerable to feeling sad, tired and even depressed.

Caregiver Stress is caused by the emotional and physical strain of caregiving.

The demands of caregiving can be overwhelming, especially if you feel you have little control over the situation or you’re in over your head. If the stress of caregiving is left unchecked, it can take a toll on your health, relationships, and state of mind—eventually leading to burnout, stress or even depression.

Caregiver stress can be particularly damaging, since it is typically a chronic, long-term challenge. You may face years or even decades of caregiving responsibilities. It can be particularly disheartening when there’s no hope that your family member will get better. At the same time, it puts not only the caregiver at risk, but also the patient who can suffer from the effects of stress to his or her caregiver.

It’s natural for you to feel stressed now and then when you’re taking care of your loved one. Sometimes, though, stress can lead to, or be a symptom of Depression.

Evaluate these 10 signs of caregiver stress and read on to see how you can cope with your stress today!