.png&w=256&q=75){kind=small}
What Is Caregiver Burnout?
Date Updated: July 26, 2024
Written by:
Ashlee Shefer is a freelance copywriter, content writer, and digital marketer who specializes in senior care, mental health, health care, and other wellness-related topics. She has one year of experience writing both short- and long-form content related to senior resources, assisted living, nursing homes, and home care, including blog posts, research-based articles, resource guides, product reviews, facility blurbs, finances, and care costs.
Reviewed by:
Dr. Brindusa Vanta is a health care professional, researcher, and an experienced medical writer (2000+ articles published online and several medical ebooks). She received her MD degree from “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine, Romania, and her HD diploma from OCHM – Toronto, Canada.
What Are the Common Symptoms of Caregiver Burnout?
Common symptoms of caregiver burnout include:
- Persistent stress and emotional strain from balancing caregiving duties with other life obligations
- Physical and/or mental exhaustion
- Low energy
- Disinterest in engaging in hobbies or spending time with friends and family, resulting in social isolation
- Anxiety
- Depression
When mental health plummets, it becomes increasingly difficult to prioritize personal care needs, including basic hygiene and sleep. Neglecting personal care affects your physical health, making you more susceptible to illnesses or headaches. Without relief, these symptoms can reduce your effectiveness as a caregiver and make you feel guilty or irritated for failing to care for your loved one properly.
How Do You Alleviate Caregiver Burnout?
You can alleviate caregiver burnout by recognizing symptoms, seeking support and prioritizing self-care. If you’re experiencing burnout symptoms, don’t try to push through and hope they go away on their own. This only worsens the condition, putting yourself and your loved one at risk for further health complications.
Some steps you can take include:
- Ask family and friends for help: Delegating responsibilities gives you time to relax, recharge and focus on personal health or self-care activities, including exercising, journaling or going out with friends.
- Seek support from a therapist or counselor: This provides a safe space to vent and learn coping strategies for stress or other mental health issues.
- Search for caregiver support groups: Whether in-person or online, support groups allow you to connect with individuals sharing similar experiences to exchange advice and feel less alone.