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What is Caregiver Burnout? What does it have to do with depression?
Daniel Hageman
Depression is the number one cause of disability in the United States and Canada. It can cause extreme physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion that may be accompanied by behavioral changes. Many patients will describe a sense of ‘emptiness’ that never goes away. Depression disrupts social interactions, work environments, and family life. Unfortunately, depression affects everyone, not just the patient. Being able to have a caregiver who can help you with daily tasks can be of great help to someone suffering from major depression. It is very hard for someone not suffering from major depression to fully understand what this illness does to someone. This is why loved ones who take care or look after a depressed person also need the proper support and education in order to avoid caregiver burnout.
Depression is the number one cause of disability in the United States and Canada. It can cause extreme physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion that may be accompanied by behavioral changes. Many patients will describe a sense of ‘emptiness’ that never goes away.
Depression disrupts social interactions, work environments, and family life. Unfortunately, depression affects everyone, not just the patient. Being able to have a caregiver who can help you with daily tasks can be of great help to someone suffering from major depression. It is very hard for someone not suffering from major depression to fully understand what this illness does to someone. This is why loved ones who take care or look after a depressed person also need the proper support and education in order to avoid caregiver burnout.
What is caregiver burnout?
According to the Mayo Clinic, caregiver burnout can occur when caregivers don’t get the help they need, or if they try to do more than they are able — physically, mentally, or financially. Caregivers who are “burned out” may experience fatigue, stress, anxiety, and depression themselves. And just like with parenting and depression, if a caregiver’s mental health is in decline, their ability to care for their loved ones may be in jeopardy. Many caregivers also will experience feelings of guilt if they spend time on themselves rather than on their loved ones[1].
The symptoms of caregiver burnout are similar to the symptoms of stress and depression. They include[2]:
- Withdrawal from friends and family
- Loss of interest in activities previously enjoyed
- Feeling blue, irritable, hopeless, and helpless
- Changes in appetite, weight, or both
- Changes in sleep patterns
- Lowered immune system
- Feelings of wanting to hurt yourself or the person for whom you are caring
- Emotional and physical exhaustion
- Excessive use of alcohol and/or sleep medications
If you experience any of these symptoms, please consult with your doctor.
Caring for the caregiver
When a spouse, family member, or friend suddenly faces the necessity to become a caregiver, stress and anxiety can take over if they are not properly trained for that role. Burnout can occur when there is a lack of resources available to help them do their jobs. They lack either monetary resources, available information regarding the disease that affects their loved ones, or face a cultural barrier due to a lack of multicultural resources. This quickly turns stress into frustration and caregivers can unwillingly lash out to the people under their care.
As a caregiver, taking care of yourself is a necessity. You can’t possibly take care of someone else’s well-being if you are neglecting your own. Try these suggestions to help take some of the load off your shoulders:
- Frustration, anger, guilt or shame are all normal feelings when caring for someone. Make sure you don’t bottle up these feelings; talk to someone you trust and vent a little.
- Remind yourself that both you and your loved one want the same thing: for them to get better. It is no one’s fault that depression (or any other illness) is affecting your lives and keeping a positive attitude despite the many responsibilities will keep the relationship healthy.
- Know your limits. You might think you can do it all but at some point you might need a break. Recognize the signs of caregiver burnout and reach out for help.
- Set aside time for yourself, even if it’s a couple hours a week. Certain short-term care services or respite care centers can take care of your loved ones for hours to days at a time and allow time for a mini vacation for yourself.
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Starting any medical treatment for the first time can leave you with questions, especially if you’re looking forward to the benefits it may bring. It’s no different when you’re preparing for your nasal esketamine treatment. Your previous mental health treatments may have consisted solely of taking antidepressants at home or visiting a therapist’s office for cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), so nasal esketamine is probably a new treatment experience for you. If you're wondering what it's like to start nasal esketamine and get ready for your first session, keep reading. Getting Started with the Nasal Esketamine Treatment As with any new treatment, you’ll first talk to your primary care provider or psychiatrist about whether nasal esketamine is a good fit for you. Alternatively, you can schedule your esketamine nasal spray consultation with a treatment center (such as Greenbrook) that has certification by the FDA’s Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS). At Greenbrook's REMS-certified nasal esketamine treatment centers, our Greenbrook-affiliated psychiatrists and psychiatric nurse practitioners will review your medical history and also conduct our own assessment to help determine whether nasal esketamine treatment is right for you. Certain conditions, including blood vessel disease and a history of psychosis, may make treatment a risk for you. Make sure you discuss all previous and present conditions with your doctor or nasal esketamine provider before beginning treatment. If the medication is deemed a good fit, you’ll receive your prescription from the Greenbrook-affiliated provider. Your Greenbrook Care Team will put together a personalized care plan for the weeks and months to follow. Keep in mind that you will need to take a standard (oral) antidepressant along with your nasal esketamine treatment. There are two important regulations to note when it comes to preparing for treatment: Each treatment is followed by a mandatory two-hour observation period. This means you will need to plan to stay at the center for at least two hours following your self-administration of the esketamine nasal spray. You cannot drive during the rest of the day after treatment and must arrange for transportation. These regulations are mandatory. It may be helpful to sit down and plan out several weeks’ worth of transportation once you know your treatment schedule. In addition, if you’re wondering what to bring for the treatment, we recommend entertainment such as an audiobook or playlist of favorite songs and a pair of headphones. You may want them during the two-hour observation period. What to Expect During Nasal Esketamine Treatment On the day of treatment, you’ll need to stop eating any food two hours before your appointment and stop drinking all fluids 30 minutes before you come in. Your Greenbrook Care Team will confirm that you are prepared for the two-hour observation period and that you have a ride home. You’ll get the opportunity to practice using a “trainer sprayer” that mimics the real nasal esketamine sprayer but does not release any medication. The Care Team will encourage you to use the restroom and set up your preferred environment in your private treatment bay or room. Some patients like reduced lighting, for example, while others don’t request light adjustments. You’ll complete a depression scale before each treatment session. Your Greenbrook provider will confirm that the dose kit is yours, show you how to administer it, and then hand it to you. Each sprayer contained 28mg of Spravato esketamine nasal spray. Patients usually start with two sprayers (56mg) and soon increase to 84mg (three sprayers) per treatment. But, your dosage maybe vary. Should you be left with a metallic taste by the spray, the Care Team will offer suckers to help make the flavor dissipate. After your dose, you’ll be encouraged to lie back in your comfortable recliner. While most patients enjoy a quiet setting, Greenbrook is prepared to accommodate patients with a more animated reaction to the medication. You may feel sleepy, dizzy, mildly dissociated, and/or nauseated during treatment. Greenbrook's Care Team is readily available if you need assistance. How to Prepare for after your Nasal Esketamine Treatment Most side effects begin to wane in the second hour of observation, but if you’re wondering, “Is it safe to drive immediately after nasal esketamine treatment?” the answer is a resounding no. In addition to the mandatory ride home, you will need to block off time to rest and let side effects fully dissipate. This extended rest period is especially important in the first weeks of treatment when you’ll have treatment twice a week. Do not drive or operate machinery of any kind until the day after treatment. Just take it easy, relax, and take care of yourself. If you’re unsure what activities you can do or should avoid during this time, talk to your Care Team for more information. While side effects tend to dissipate completely after a good night’s sleep, many nasal esketamine patients begin feeling relief from depression symptoms within hours of their treatment. Other Tips in Preparing for Your Nasal Esketamine Treatment At Greenbrook, we make every effort to schedule your treatment in the afternoons or whenever it is most convenient for you. We encourage you to see each treatment session as an opportunity to relax and take care of your mental health. If you have any questions or concerns, talk to your doctor or the Greenbrook Care Team. At Greenbrook, we’ll help you feel at ease when preparing for each treatment session. Schedule A Free Consultation To get started with nasal esketamine, schedule your free consultation today.
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