Columbia Aged Care Services

The first step in dealing with caregiver stress is to recognize the signs. Then, you can find ways to deal with it and enlist support or medical help when needed.

Emotional Signs of Caregiver Stress include:
 Anxiety
 Depression
 Moodiness/mood swings
 Butterflies
 Irritability, easily frustrated, road rage
 Memory problems and lack of concentration
 Feeling out of control
 Increased substance abuse
 Phobias
 Argumentative
 Feeling of isolation 
Job dissatisfaction

If you are experiencing some of the signs listed above, consider talking with a healthcare professional who can help you to evaluate your situation. It is important that a family caregiver realize that she or he is not alone. Getting support will help reduce caregiver stress, as well as reduce the associated physical and emotional risks of ongoing stress.

Remember, it is not selfish to focus on your own needs and desires when you are a family caregiver. In fact, it is a necessity to take initiative with your own physical and emotional care, or else it could make you less useful to the person for whom you are caring.

Source: http://www.caregiverstress.com/yourhealth.html