Caregiver Stress: Are You in Denial?

Why do we need to prove to ourselves that we are strong enough to handle everything that comes our way, whether it is running a business or caring for someone who needs around-the clock care? Connie Chow offers clues -- such as weight gain -- that an individual should pay attention and make a corrective plan before becoming the person who needs a caregiver! Caregiver stress leads to burnout.Denial leads to caregiving burnout Denying that you need help is a major reason for caregiver burnout. Many caregivers are convinced that they’ve got their situation handled. No matter how difficult things get, they can manage without any help, thank you very much. The problem? Before you know it, you’ve gained 10 pounds, feel stressed all the time, and resent your older adult for taking over your life. Every caregiver needs the help and support of a caregiving team or they’ll start suffering from poor health, depression, extreme fatigue, chronic stress, and other serious conditions. If you're in denial, you can’t get the help you need and deserve. Denial vs positive thinking It’s important to think positively and have a good attitude about caregiving. But how do you know if you’re crossing the line into denial? We found an article that describes the difference between denial and positive thinking for family caregivers. Here are the 5 best clues that you might be in denial about your caregiving situation. 5 clues that you’re in denial There are several clear signs that you’ve crossed the line from positive thinking into the land of denial. Here are 5 we feel are the most common for caregivers.

1. You feel resentful.
2. Your health is getting worse as a result of the stress.
3. People say: “You know, you really could use some help.”
4. You think: “I have no one to help me.”
5. Your world has shrunk down so much that you only have yourself and your older adult. There’s nobody else in your lives.

Bottom line If you’ve been feeling or saying things that signal you’re getting burned out, it’s time to be brutally honest with yourself. It’s time to put together a plan to get the help you need. Whether it’s in-home care, counseling, or placement into a living facility isn’t important. The important thing is to recognize when you’re in denial so you can get out of it and take action to improve the situation. Next Step >Read the full article at Psychology Today By Connie Chow, Contributing Writer and Founder of DailyCaringImage: AthleteCell