I found this on another list. It seems like it would be a great help, I know
I will try to do some of the things they suggest. Hope someone finds it
useful.
Betsy
Learning How to Cope with Caregiver Burnout
When someone is diagnosed with cancer, the patient is not the only one
affected. The person responsible for care is also affected. Providing care for
a loved one with cancer can be very stressful. When caregivers don't attend to
their own needs and allow other pressures to take over, they lose the ability
to continue to care for the loved one or friend. This condition may be known
as burnout.
Recognize the Signs of Burnout:
•Irritability. You snap at people for small things; you lose patience easily.
•Withdrawal. You don't stay in touch with friends and activities like you used
to. •Fatigue. You are constantly tired and exhausted. •Insomnia. You have a
hard time getting to sleep, staying asleep, or sleep restlessly. •Apathy. You
feel numb and must force yourself to do routine caregiver tasks. •Appetite
Changes. You eat more than you used to, or don't feel like eating
anything. •Increased Substance Use. The only relief you can get is from
alcohol, drugs, or smoking. •Feelings of Guilt. You think you are not doing
enough, or you feel resentment for the amount of work doing.
What to Do:
In order to care for someone else, you must take care of yourself. Your mental
and physical health is just as important as the patient's, so it's important
to recognize your limits. Be aware of how much you can do, as well as what you
cannot do. You are not super-human. Don't feel guilty when you take time to
re-energize yourself.
1.Exercise. Even if you do not have time for a formal workout, incorporate
exercise into your daily routine. For example, take a walk around the doctor's
office or hospital grounds during the patient's appointment.
2.Eat properly. Many times caregivers are so absorbed in preparing patient
meals they neglect their own nutritional needs.
3.Read. For pleasure, or for information, reading can be a wonderful outlet
for stress and anxiety.
4.Get a massage. Many people think that they need to spend all their money on
medical bills and if they spend money on personal needs, they feel guilty.
Getting a massage may not be that expensive. Many major cities have massage
schools with low-cost student clinics.
5.Pursue hobbies. Don't lose touch with the things that gave you pleasure
before your loved one became ill. Whether it is gardening, music, or art
classes, continue to do what brings you joy, even if it is less frequent than
before.
6.Practice relaxation techniques. Whether it's progressive muscle relaxation,
visual imagery or deep breathing, anyone can incorporate these skills into
their daily lives. Many stress management workshops and books are readily
available.
7.Keep a journal or diary. It's helpful to use this as a way to keep track of
what you are going through and how you are feeling.
8.Tap into your support network. Don't be afraid to ask for help. Many people
want to help, but don't know what to offer. Ask friends, relatives, neighbors,
co-workers, or people in your church or synagogue to help out with some tasks.
9.Blow off steam. Go to the movies, go to dinner, have fun, play games. It's
okay to escape and not focus all your energy on your loved one's illness. They
want you to be able to enjoy life.
10.Join a caregiver's support group. Contact your local ACS to find the
nearest group. It's important to connect with people who share similar
experiences.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
This is an automatically-generated notice. If you'd like to be removed
from the mailing list, please visit the Medicine-On-Line Discussion Forum
at <http://www.meds.com/con_faq.html>, or send an email message to:
majordomo@lists.meds.com
with the subject line blank and the body of the message containing the line:
unsubscribe mol-cancer your-email-address
where the phrase your-email-address is replaced with your actual email
address.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
