Depression And Guilt For Caregivers

Being a new caregiver is hard and can lead to depression if you
let it. Not everyone who becomes a caregiver will experience
depression and the negative feelings that often go with
depression. Don't look at caregiving as something that if you do
you will end up depressed and on medication. The depression
begins to show up when you shut yourself off from what is
familiar to you and solely concentrate on caregiving.

In an effort to provide the best possible care to your loved
one, the caregiver often sacrifices their own emotional and
physical needs, and by doing this even the strongest, most
capable person can feel the strain. The feelings of anger,
sadness, anxiety, isolation, exhaustion, and then the guilt that
is often accompanied by these feeling is a heavy toll for anyone
to take.

Depression and guilt often go hand-in-hand. When you get angry
at the person you are caring for and begin to have negative
feelings towards them, feelings of guilt occur, followed by
feelings of depression for feeling that way. It is a cycle that
continues until you seek help.

We all have negative feelings from time to time, but when these
feelings become intense and leave a caregiver totally drained of
energy, becoming angered at their loved one for no particular
reason, and crying frequently, these may be warning signs of
depression. You need to be concerned about depression if the
sadness and crying are continuous and the negative feelings are
unrelenting.

It is unfortunate that some still think of depression as a sign
of weakness rather than what it is, a sign that something is out
of balance. Ignoring the feelings you have will not make them go
away, it is important that you seek out medical help.

Symptoms of Depression

Most people's experience with depression is different. Some
people may be sad for months while others may have a more
intense and sudden change in the way they look at things. The
degree of symptoms and type of symptoms will vary from person to
person.

If you experience any of the following for longer than 2 weeks
you may want to go and talk to your doctor.

• Have your eating habits changed resulting in either a
dramatic weight gain or weight loss.
• Have your sleep patterns changed – either sleeping too much
or too little.
• Do you fee tired all the time, even after just waking up.
• Do you become easily angered or agitated?
• Do you have the feelings that nothing you do is good enough?
• Are you having thoughts suicide or death?
• Are you experiencing headaches, chronic pain, and digestive
disorders that are not responding to treatments?

The above symptoms are warning signs of depression so it is
important to talk to your doctor so you can get help. If you
don't feel comfortable using the word depression, inform your
doctor that you are 'feeling down' or 'feeling blue'. Your
doctor will understand the message you are trying to get across
and get you the help you need.

About The Author: Maria Sandella was the primary caregiver for
her grandmother for 2 years until her passing. She also worked
summers in a long-term care facility while attending college.
She now works as an Application Specialist for
http://IntercomsOnline.com, which provides wireless intercom
systems for caregivers.