10 Warning Signs of Caregiver Stress
1. Denial – about the disease and its effect on the person who’s been diagnosed. I know Mom’s going to get better.
2. Anger – at the person with the rare, chronic or chronic progressive, disorder: that no effective treatments or cures currently exist and that people don’t understand what’s going on. If he asks me that question one more time, I’m going to scream.
3. Social withdrawal – from friends and activities that once brought pleasure. I don’t care about getting together with neighbors anymore.
4. Anxiety – about facing another day and what the future holds. What happens when he needs more care than I can provide?
5. Depression – begins to break your spirit and affects your ability to cope. I don’t care anymore.
6. Exhaustion – makes it nearly impossible to complete necessary daily tasks. I’m too tired for this.
7. Sleeplessness – caused by a never ending list of concerns. What if she wanders out of the house or falls and hurts herself.
8. Irritability – leads to moodiness and triggers negative responses and reactions. Leave me alone!
9. Lack of concentration – makes it difficult to perform familiar tasks. I was so busy, that I forgot we had an appointment.
10. Health problems – begin to take their toll, both mentally and physically. I can’t remember the last time that I felt good.
Source: Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders Assoc., Inc.
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