Caregiving is a very stressful situation. Stress either causes or exacerbates some 70 to 90 percent of all medical complaints, including tension and migraine headaches, high blood pressure, asthma, nervous stomach, bowel problems, and chronic lower back pains. There is research evidence indicating stress plays a role in a person's susceptibility to heart disease, stroke, and cancer.

Stress has also been implicated in psychological disorders such as anxiety reactions, depression and phobias, as well as poor work performance, drug and alcohol abuse, insomnia, and unexplained violence. If you are experiencing any of the above, it is extremely important that you learn and use various techniques for stress reduction and/or contact a professional for help. For some caregivers, it may be time to change or stop your current method of caregiving, for your well-being and the well-being of your care receiver.

Here are some telltale signs that can help you assess when you have reached this point:

· Snapping at the care receiver constantly -- even over little things

· Being constantly irritated

· Seldom laughing anymore

· Feeling constantly tired or pressured

· Losing sleep, failing to fall asleep for hours, sleeping restlessly all night long

· Yelling or screaming, or having crying fits, or having rages frequently

· Withholding affection, feelings of goodwill from the care receiver

· Withholding food, baths, dressing changes

· Constantly blaming the care receiver for you being in this situation

· Refusing to go out anymore, even for a walk, because my care receiver needs me

· Withholding expenditures for goods or services my loved one needs because he/she is going to die soon and it is wasted money

While these are not all-inclusive, they indicate a classic picture of caregiver burnout. The treatment for caregiver burnout is simple -- get help and get away for extended periods, either through stress management respite help or through a complete change in caregiving.

No one can remain a full-time caregiver forever. The job is much too strenuous and stressful. And each caregiver has a unique time for when caregiving should change or end. Each caregiver has his or her own limits and may not recognize when one is reached. That is why it’s important to step back and assess if you are beyond your limit of compassionate caregiving. Be as honest and gentle with yourself as possible. Keep in mind that you are doing the best you can in a tough situation.

This Care Page is from the Caregiver’s Handbook, which was developed and produced in booklet form by The Caregiver Education and Support Services, Seniors Counseling and Training Case Management Services of the San Diego County Mental Health Services; Robert Torres-Stanovik, LCSW, Editor