Burnout is real and it can happen to you! Learn to identify the signs and the causes, and read about some ways to combat burnout that worked for me.
Burnout is emotional and/or physical exhaustion that stems from stress. The stress can be physical, mental, or financial stress. Burnout is typically a sign that you need help. Now!
Here are some signs of burnout:
- Change in attitude and outlook (from positive to negative)
- Change in appetite
- Altered sleep cycle or quality
- Feeling down or lonely
- Having a loss of interest
- Increased use of alcohol and/or drugs
If you’re experiencing any of the symptoms above, please seek help from a professional healthcare provider. They could be a sign that some intervention is needed.
Here are some potential causes of burnout in caregivers:
- You are experiencing role confusion. This one struck me on many different levels. It was hard to separate the role of son from the role of caregiver. I was often conflicted and had tremendous guilt. Guilt over wanting to lead an independent life and wanting to be there for my mother. This acted as a catalyst for my burnout and significantly contributed to my exhaustion.
- You have unrealistic expectations. When your expectations are not aligned with reality (or if those of the person for whom you care are not aligned with reality) you increase the chances that you’ll experience guilt and accelerate your burnout.
- You feel (or fear) a loss of control. An inability to influence decisions that affect the care of your loved one — such as their visit schedule, treatments, or your own caregiver workload — could lead to burnout. So could a lack of the resources you need to provide care. It is a hard viscous cycle as more and more people take on caring for family members in addition to their full time jobs.
- You need assistance. This can come from many things including extremes in activity, a lack of social support, or an imbalance in your work-life. These all contribute to stress and cause burnout.
Now that you know what causes burnout and how to spot it, here is what can you do to significantly reduce your burnout. Here is what worked for me:
- Evaluate your options. Discuss specific concerns with your care team. Maybe you can work together to change expectations or reach solutions. Try to set goals for what must get done and what can wait. This was life changing for me. It opened doors to additional professional care and assistance (like the VNA and licensed social workers).
- Seek support. Whether you reach out to friends, loved ones, or professional caregivers, support and collaboration might help you cope. Respite care could offer a great temporary solution if you qualify. Advocate for yourself!
- Take care of yourself. Try a relaxing activity, get some exercise, get some rest, or do all three!
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