Taking care of another adult, for whatever reason, is an enormous and exhausting task. The life of a caregiver is fraught with consequences – emotional, physical, work-related – every aspect of our lives is affected.
Bern and I know first-hand what it’s like to care for a depressed husband. Another author in our area, Deborah Shouse, deals with caregiving in another arena – that of caring for a loved one with dementia. In her recent post, Making a List: Including Fun in the Caregiver’s Journey, she offers some very practical advice about simples ways to help ourselves stay healthy and happy while caring for someone else.
Take a moment to look – if you’re worn out by caregiving, you’ll be glad you did.
-Amy
Filed under: Clinical depression, health, Mental health | Tagged: caregiving, dementia, depression, health, mental-health, self-care |
Depression's Collateral Damage 
Thank you for sharing what it is like for you. My husband has probably never had a moment of depression in his life. He is patient, but there are times when I can sense his frustration. Of course, he keeps it all in and then blows like a volcano occasionally–which will take me back a few steps–back into the pit of depression. I don’t know if I am unique, but I am fighting very hard for a life. I have changed my diet, I exercise, I see my therapist regularly, and I am seeing a Psychiatrist to manage my medication. I don’t know that I could do anything more, and I am so FRUSTRATED that each morning I get up, and I don’t feel any better than I did yesterday.
My dad suffered from Dementia. A disease my husband witnessed first hand. He understood my dad’s illness. Mine–I just don’t think he understands, or can see that it is an illness as well. One I am doing everything I can to beat. However, viewing it from the other side has helped me to understand what a toll my depression has on others.
Thanks for sharing, April. I really appreciate your perspective too. It’s easy to get caught up in how difficult life is (sometimes) with my depressed husband and forget what a terrible struggle it is for him. Your reminder helps me.