Many patients with chronic mental diseases such as schizophrenia and depression need additional care and support from their families because they lose their ability to take care of themselves.
So, are caregivers who are under financial pressure and the burden of daily life more likely to suffer from depression than ordinary people? What should I do if depression occurs?
Are you a caregiver?
Caregiver refers to the person who takes care of the daily life of family members with difficulties in self-care. These care includes housework, shopping, as well as care and comfort in daily life and in case of illness, and bears corresponding financial assistance.
There are relatively few people engaged in full-time nursing in China, and more of them are the families of these patients who play this role.
Usually, the people being cared for have certain deficiencies in their living ability. In daily life, they need to rely on others everywhere.
Are caregivers more likely to [be depressed]?
In order to take better care of our families, we always put meeting their needs first.
Sometimes, we will be sad, angry or even lonely.
Caregivers are often under both physical and psychological pressure.
These emotions accumulate for a long time. If they cannot be relieved and vented, they may stimulate depressive symptoms.
How is depressed?
Depressive symptoms include (refer to the authoritative psychiatric diagnosis manual DSM-5):
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Depressed mood exists most of the day;
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Apparently losing interest or pleasure;
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Significant weight loss or increase (e.g. Weight change of 5 ~ 10kg within two weeks);
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Insomnia or lethargy;
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Mental agitation or retardation (unable to calm down to think about things, or feeling that thinking speed has slowed down);
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Weakness or lack of energy;
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Being [worthless], or blaming oneself excessively (feeling that [living is meaningless] [life is meaningless], or feeling that [it is not good to blame oneself], or even [it is simply not right to come to this world]);
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Poor thinking ability;
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Repeated thought of death, often [want to die].
If a person is diagnosed with depressive disorder, he may have the following characteristics:
- There are at least five of the above symptoms. Symptoms lasted for at least two weeks. At least one of the at least five symptoms is [depression in mood] or [loss of interest or fun].
If you are depressed, do you need to be what?
Experts from the authoritative medical institution [Mayo Clinic] in the United States suggest that caregivers should focus on prevention of depression.
Everyone may have bad emotions. Depression can bring great pain to caregivers and affect the quality of care.
Therefore, it is not appropriate to hold the idea that [seeing a doctor by oneself will delay taking care of patients]. Only when one’s state is adjusted can one take better care of the patients.
Therefore, if the above-mentioned symptoms exist, we need to consult a psychiatrist.
Depression cannot be quickly got rid of simply by letting it go. It may lead to a large number of emotional and physical problems.
In fact, most patients diagnosed with depression feel much better after receiving drugs, psychological treatment or other treatments for several months.
To prevent depression, can I do some what?
Instead of being helpless, we can actually take active actions to prevent depression. For example:
STEP 1 Take the initiative to seek help
If conditions permit, all family members can take part in the care, and everyone takes turns and works in a division of labor.
If the economy permits, you can also hire nursing workers to replace yourself temporarily.
In addition, if there is a family support group, you can try it. Such social support can take away the feeling of loneliness, depression and being hollowed out.
Step 2 Stay in touch with your friends
Nursing work may make people have no time to get together with friends. Although they cannot get together, expressing your concern to loved ones and friends can give people strength and hope.
STEP 3 Start keeping a diary
Through diaries, we can freely express our emotions such as pain, anger and fear without worrying about hurting anyone. Venting emotions in this way can improve our mood.
Step 4 Save some time for yourself
Leave some [your own] time to participate in some activities that can make people feel relaxed.
For example, watching movies, football matches, proper exercise or attending parties are all good choices.
Step 5 Maintain a positive attitude
Nursing work is very hard and often exhausts people physically and mentally. We need to think on the bright side.
For example, it is also a blessing to show filial piety before the old man dies.
For example, taking care of others can enable us to see some problems from the perspective of ourselves, which will bring about growth.
A positive attitude can effectively prevent depression and bring positive effects to the caregivers.