Are you feeling overwhelmed in your role as a caregiver? Did you know depression is common among long-term caregivers? Counseling for caregivers can help.
The stress of caregiving and your role as a caregiver affects all facets of your life. Maybe you chose this role, or maybe there was no other choice. You’re here now and your life has changed. Now what?
Caregiver Stress and Isolation
Taking care of another person is both physically and mentally exhausting. The physical and emotional stress of tending to another may be like nothing you’ve ever experienced.
You may be feeling angry, stressed and fearful. At the same time, you may be experiencing anguish over your own feelings of guilt.
It’s common to experience feelings of sadness, grief, and isolation. Feelings of isolation can cause an increase in depression.
You aren’t simply caring for someone else. You may be mourning the life you used to live…the life you worked hard for. While your family and friends are going about their day to day lives as normal, your life has been upended and your future has changed.
Finding Your Voice As A Caregiver
You have a right to your emotions. Feel your feelings. No one can take that away from you.
It’s important to find your voice as a caregiver. You can say “no” to the things you can’t do. You can’t be everything, and that’s okay.
It’s important to ask for and accept help from others where you can. Don’t allow yourself to become an island.
You don’t have to be perfect.
Take Time for You
It’s important to remember that you matter. Your health, both physically and mentally, matter. You cannot forget to care for yourself, first and foremost.
Self-care is so important in our daily lives. We need to sleep, eat, and exercise. We need to let ourselves relax, laugh, and breathe. As caregivers, we often forget to care for ourselves.
Therapy for Caregivers In Washington, PA
Therapy is beneficial for caregivers. Self care is especially important for caregivers experiencing feeling of isolation, depression, stress, anxiety and guilt. It’s paramount to understand and process our feelings. In therapy we can work on setting boundaries and improving communication. Above all, counseling can help you to better care for you.
You deserve to make time for you. My office in Washington, PA is warm and inviting. It’s a place where we can sit with a beverage, relax and just talk.
If you have any questions or would like to get to know me a little better, please call (724) 503-6670 or email me at admin@inthenowcounseling.org. You can also talk to me on Facebook and Instagram, too.
Make time for you. You can feel better.