By Lynn Schneider, Director of Community Relations, Park Royal Hospital
Having a spouse who is battling a serious illness can bring about a multitude of emotions. Estimates have shown that families provide 80% of the long-term care for chronically ill individuals in the United States. When someone has a spouse who is suffering from a serious illness, he or she often finds him or herself taking on the role of primary caregiver. These people want to be there for their loved ones in their time of need, but they do not always realize the immense amount of physical and psychological stress that they are imposing on themselves by doing so.
Studies have shown that caregivers consistently report experiencing greater feelings of depression and other mental health conditions than do individuals who are not providing care for loved ones. Additionally, research has shown that between 40% and 70% of caregivers display clinically significant symptoms of depression, with approximately half of those individuals meeting diagnostic criteria for a clinical diagnosis of depression. When caregivers are suffering from depression, they are highly susceptible to experiencing other emotional and behavioral disturbances. These individuals are more likely to experience the onset of coexisting mental health conditions, such as an anxiety disorder. Additionally, people who are depressed and who are responsible for providing care to their spouse may find that they can experience a sense relief from their own symptoms by using drugs and/or alcohol.
Caregivers also consistently report feeling extreme levels of stress as a direct result of having to provide ongoing care for their loved ones. In many cases, in addition to caring for their spouses, these individuals are also responsible for financially supporting their loved ones. These people often have to maintain steady, full-time employment in order to keep their families financially afloat. In such instances, these people have no choice but to work full-time, only to then come home and once again take on the role of caregiver. The amount of pressure that these individuals are under can understandably elicit ever-increasing levels of stress. They ultimately find that they do not have any time to relax, which leads to their feeling overwhelmed and exhausted. Not only does this affect them psychologically, often increasing their feelings of depression and anxiety, but it can also begin to negatively impact them physically. The presence of chronic stress, in addition to lacking the ability to rest, can ultimately result in the onset of physical illnesses. Yet, despite becoming physically ill, the responsibilities that these individuals have placed on them do not cease, meaning that they continue to provide care for their loved one. The physical strain of continuing to provide care despite being sick can further perpetuate the feelings of stress, depression, and anxiety.
Another trial that caregivers face is that they often begin to question their own ability to provide care to for their loved one. When they are consistently caring for their spouse and do not see any positive results from that caregiving, they can easily begin to feel as though they are failing their loved one. Now, in addition to the stress, depression, and anxiety that these individuals experience from the actual task of caregiving, they are faced with decreasing feelings of self-worth and uncertainty as they doubt their own effectiveness at helping their spouse. Such feelings ultimately exacerbate the already present feelings of emotional distress.
Additionally, as caregivers witness the suffering that their loved one is going through, their own level of distress is heightened. They may begin to blame themselves that they are unable to relieve their loved one’s suffering.
So what can be done to help alleviate some of the pressure that caregivers are under? Perhaps the biggest thing for these individuals to remember is that there is no shame in asking for help. Because they are caring for their spouse, they may feel as though it is solely their responsibility. However, seeking out support from other family members or other individuals in your loved one’s life can make a monumental difference in regards to alleviating some of the stress that they are under. Additionally, it is imperative that caregivers take care of themselves. If symptoms of anxiety and depression are present, seeking treatment from a mental health professional is the most beneficial way of addressing such concerns.
Park Royal Hospital, a premier provider of behavioral healthcare services, offers a number of treatment options for individuals who may be suffering from the distressing emotional symptoms that may arise as a result of being a loved one’s primary caregiver. With a holistic approach to treatment, the highly trained and qualified staff at Park Royal can help these individuals address their concerns, find relief from their distress, and ultimately work towards rebuilding their sense of self-worth, allowing them to be the best help, support, and source of caregiving for their loved one.
PARK ROYAL
239-985-2760
www.parkroyalhospital.com