How to Handle Caregiver Burnout During the Pandemic?

Caregiver burnout arises when you are providing constant support and assistance to a receiver who is ailing, suffering from chronic illness, or has any form of disability. There are many forms of burnout. This article assists in understanding the caregiver fatigue and ways to manage it.

What is caregiver burnout?

Caregivers are individuals who take care and support others physically, emotionally, and socially.

• Burnout is a state of total physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion due to multiple demands, lack of resources, less energy, and/ or lack of support.

Self care

Prioritize your health along with taking care of other(s)

Conclusion

With the increase in need for health care support due to COVID-19, most of us are taking care of family, friends and close ones.

Signs and symptoms of caregiver burnout

Physical exhaustion: Constant body aches, fatigue, feeling tired, frequent debilitating headaches

• Weak immune system: Falling constantly ill or feeling unwell
• Changes in appetite: Eating too much or very little causes changes in weight
• Sleep concerns: Changes in sleep patterns, distrubed sleep, or unfulfilling sleep
• Isolation from others: Avoiding family members, friends, coworkers
• Loss of interest: Losing interest in activities or tasks previously enjoyed
• Anxiety and depression: Constantly worrying about the patient, imagining the worst, and/or overthinking
• Emotional changes: Feeling irritated, frustrated, lashing out, and getting into frequent arguments
• Neglect of your own health & priorities: Not taking breaks, not following basic self-care and disregarding other responsibilities

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why do I feel guilty when I prioritize my wellbeing over the person who I am supporting?

• Guilt can come when you think you are not doing enough, give less priority to other aspects of your life, or when you want to focus on yourself.
• Can caregiver burnout be prevented?
• Yes. Maintaining a harmony between caregiving and yourself, using helpful coping skills, and reaching out to a professional for guidance is the best way to prevent burnout.

Stages of Caregiver burnout

Prolonged stress, juggling between different tasks and responsibilities as a caregiver can lead to burnout.

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