Caring for a spouse in need is very demanding, and can be stressful enough to threaten your own health. It is important to consider your own needs as just as high a priority as that of your spouse—in the long run it will be to their benefit as much as your own.
As a caregiving spouse, you may begin to feel very isolated from friends and feel guilt about your own unmet needs. There can also be a sense of loss, especially if your spouse suffers from dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.
So how do you know if caregiving is becoming too risky for you? Examine this list and see how many apply to you:
- Missing or delaying your own doctor appointments
- Ignoring your own health problems or symptoms
- Not eating a healthy diet for lack of time
- Overusing tobacco and alcohol when you feel stressed
- Giving up exercise habits for lack of time
- Losing sleep
- Losing connections with friends for lack of time to socialize
- Bottling up feelings of anger and frustration and then being surprised by angry, even violent, outbursts directed at your spouse, other family members, co-workers – even strangers
- Feeling sad, down, depressed or hopeless
- Loss of energy
- Lacking interest in things that used to give you (and your spouse) pleasure
- Feeling resentful toward your spouse
- Blaming your spouse for the situation
- Feeling that people ask more of you than they should
- Feeling like caregiving has affected family relationships in a negative way
- Feeling annoyed by other family members who don’t help out or who criticize your care
All caregivers who experience elevated levels of stress are at an increased risk for physical and emotional issues. Even if you are only experiencing two or three of these items, it is important to get help and support. If you are experiencing many of the symptoms on this list, it may be time to seriously consider alternatives—whether that be relying on supplemental caregivers or full time care at home or in a facility for your spouse. The truth is your spouse/partner will be in better hands if you are healthy.
Reprinted from caregiverstress.com
http://www.caregiverstress.com/stress-management/stress-symptoms/signs-spousal-caregiving-too-risky/
Spousal Caregiving
