Caregiver Stress Reactions and Symptoms

Here are symptoms that you may suffer as a caregiver as a result of stress. These are all very real.

Physiological:

Increased heart rate
Increased blood pressure
Palpitations
Trembling
Muscle tension
Muscle tightness
Nausea
Dizziness
Chest pain
Perspiration
Headaches
Muscle pains
Backache
Stomach distress
Sweating
Gastrointestinal distress


Emotional:

Worry
Anger
Hopelessness
Doubt
Anxiety
Helplessness
Worthlessness
Fear
Shame
Frustration
Depression
Grief
Overwhelmed


Behavioral:

Compulsive overeating
Increase in smoking habit
Escapist drinking
Continual use of sedatives
Continual use of tranquilizers
Obsessive/compulsive behaviors
Continual job changes
Change in sleeping habits
Absenteeism in work place
Emotional outbursts
Withdrawal


Cognitive:

Memory loss
Decreased decision making
Decreased problem solving
Limited attention span
Calculation difficulties
Inability to concentrate

Caregiving produces stress in the caregiver. It is important to manage stress by taking extremely good care of yourself physically, emotionally, and spiritually.