Symptons of Caregiver Burnout
- Disruptive sleep paterns including insomnia or habitually oversleeping; never feeling rested, even when the primary caregiver has managed to have a full night’s sleep; sleep troubled by disturbing dreams or nightmares.
- Altered eating patterns including, not being able to eat or overeating; significant weight loss or gain.
- Increased sugar consumption or use of alcohol or drugs.
- Increased smoking or strong desire to start again after having quit.
- Frequent headaches or sudden onset of back pain.
- Increased reliance on over-the-counter pain remedies or prescribed drugs.
- Irritaiblity.
- High levels of fear or anxiety.
- Impatience.
- The iablity to handle one or more problems or crises.
- Overreacting to commonplace accidents such as dropping a glass or misplace something.
- Overreacting to criticism.
- Overreacting with anger toward a spouse, child, or older care recepient.
- Alienation, even from those who offer relief and help.
- Feeling emotionally withdrawn.
- Feeling trapped.
- Thinking of disasppearing or running away.
- Not being able to laugh or feel joy.
- Withdrawing from activities and the lives of others around the primary caregiver.
