Signs and causes of Caregiver Burnout & ways of prevention and treatment.

‘CARE’, the most beautiful word in the world. Caring for someone is the purest form of kindness. We all wish to live a healthy and happy life. But there are individuals who are not even able to do their daily tasks without someone’s help. So, there arises a need of a person who can take care of that person not just emotionally but professionally. When a family member step in to this, the process of being a caregiver can be exhausting at times, even if they care about the patient. It may be accompanied by a change in attitude, from positive and caring to negative and unconcerned. Caregiver burnout is a state of physical, emotional and mental exhaustion. Burnout can occur when caregivers don’t get the help they need, or if they try to do more than they are able, physically or financially. Every individual has a saturation point, of what they are able to do or what they are capable of, exceeding this limit may cause exhaustion.

Imagine someone with a health condition which makes them unable to do their daily tasks. They need help from someone who can handle their physical and emotional needs. Of course, a family member can do the role of a caregiver. But at some point, there is a chance that they will feel emotionally and physically tired. This can be related to compassion fatigue which is a condition characterized by emotional and physical exhaustion leading to a diminished ability to empathize or feel compassion for others, often described as the negative cost of caring. It is sometimes referred to as secondary traumatic stress.

General symptoms of caregiver burnout include feeling exhausted, being irritable, lack of energy, fatigue, feeling anxious, depression etc. caregiver burnout not only have emotional symptoms but physical symptom too. And they are body aches and pains, increased or decreased appetite, unusual changes in weight, insomnia etc.

It is important to know the warning signs of caregiver burnout so you can recognize when you have them and take actions. Otherwise, this situation can negatively impact the person receiving care. There are number of things you can do to take care of yourself, stay healthy, and prevent burnout. Ask for help when you feel exhausted, be honest with yourself and your feelings, take regular breaks from your routine, have social interactions as much as possible, eat a healthy diet and take care of your physical conditions. Maintaining a healthy body and mind is essential for you and your loved ones.