What is Caregiver Burnout?

Burnout can happen to anyone in relation to many different things. We can burnout from dealing with work stress, mental illness, school, or any other number of situations. A common type of burnout is called caregiver burnout. Caregiver burnout is when providing care for others such as, family members, partners, patients, becomes a source of stress and frustration for us.

What Causes Caregiver Burnout?

Quite simply, caregiver burnout is caused by exposure to the suffering of others and the stress that comes with their care. This can be hard for many who experience it to accept, as we are usually only in those positions because we care about those we are taking care of. You may be a professional experiencing Compassion Fatigue, a family member caring for someone with a disability or illness, or someone who is just generally in positions where they are helping others with their burdens. Despite the fact that you may have chose to be in the position you are in, burnout can still occur. This does not mean you are failing in your role or uncaring, it’s a well documented reaction to being in these positions of caring. This is particularly true when the situation is more severe or has been ongoing.

How Do I Tell if I’m Burned Out?

If you’re experiencing caregiver burnout, you might notice some of the following symptoms:

• Low energy/fatigue
• Irritability
• Frustration
• Emotional numbness
• Intense emotions toward the person/situation
• Apathy toward the person/situation
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Difficulty sleeping or sleeping too much
• Frequent headaches and body pains
• Getting sick more frequently
• Difficulty engaging with those around you or things you find joy in

If you are in a helping position and have noticed some of these symptoms, you may be experiencing caregiver burnout. It is not uncommon for this to come on gradually over a period of time, which often results in the person being unaware it’s happening to them. A friend or loved one may point out some of these signs before you are aware of them.

If you or a loved one are suffering from caregiver burnout and are unsure of how to address it, you can schedule an appointment at burnoutpreventiontherapy.com if you are in Utah. Otherwise, you can schedule with local therapists and burnout specialists. Caregiver burnout can also be accompanied by thoughts of suicide or self harm. If you are experiencing a mental health emergency in the United States, you can call 988 or 911 for immediate care.