If caregiver stress builds up without being managed, depression and anxiety may result. As a result of the demanding and emotional work of caring for someone, caregivers tend to suffer clinical depression and anxiety more often than the general population. Many caregivers - with some reports as high as fifty percent - experience depressive symptoms severe enough to need treatment.
The following symptoms in caregivers may indicate depression:
- Persistent sad, anxious or "empty" mood
- Sleeping too much or too little, middle of the night or early morning waking
- Reduced appetite and weight loss, or increased appetite and weight gain
- Loss of pleasure and interest in activities once enjoyed, including sex
- Restlessness, irritability
- Persistent physical symptoms that do not respond to treatment (such as chronic pain or digestive disorders)
- Difficulty concentrating, remembering or making decisions
- Fatigue or loss of energy
- Feeling guilty, hopeless or worthless
- Thoughts of suicide or death
If caregiver stress builds up without being managed, depression and
anxiety may result. As a result of the demanding and emotional work
of caring for someone, caregivers tend to suffer clinical
depression and anxiety more often than the...
More
If caregiver stress builds up without being managed, depression and anxiety may result. As a result of the demanding and emotional work of caring for someone, caregivers tend to suffer clinical depression and anxiety more often than the general population. Many caregivers - with some reports as high as fifty percent - experience depressive symptoms severe enough to need treatment.
