You CAN survive the rollercoaster of caregiving emotions

Caregiving can be like a rollercoaster. Up and down you seem to go, over hills and valleys of feelings. They can range from joy and love to frustration and even rage. None of these emotions are wrong, and you’re not the only one trying to cope with them. Here’s how to navigate the “ride” that is caregiving.

Guilt

Almost every caregiver feels guilt at some point. They think they can never do enough for their caree, or they wish their caregiving responsibilities would just “go away.” One way to remedy this is to imagine what life would be like for your caree if they didn’t have you. This makes it much easier to see the difference you make in their lives.

Anxiety

Anxiety is another common emotion that caregivers carry with them. You fear you may make a mistake that harms your caree, or that something bad will happen to them if you’re not there. One way to combat these feelings is to have a backup plan for various scenarios that make you fearful.

Depression

Finally, overwhelming sadness is often part of caregiving. Make an appointment with your physician or therapist to see how this can best be treated.