Caregiver Stress From Caring for Someone with PTSD

Caregiver Stress From Caring for Someone with PTSD PTSD Coping Print Stress From Supporting Someone With PTSD By Matthew Tull, PhD twitter Matthew Tull, PhD is a professor of psychology at the University of Toledo, specializing in post-traumatic stress disorder. Learn about our editorial policy Matthew Tull, PhD Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Daniel B. Block, MD on January 23, 2020 twitter linkedin Daniel B. Block, MD, is an award-winning, board-certified psychiatrist who operates a private practice in Pennsylvania. Learn about our Medical Review Board Daniel B. Block, MD Updated on February 09, 2020 Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Overview Symptoms & Diagnosis Causes & Risk Factors Treatment Living With In Children Hero Images / Getty Images In This Article Table of Contents Expand Stress Associated With Support What Is Caregiver Burden? Studies on Caregiver Burden Prevention How to Cope Final Note on Caring for a Loved One With PTSD View All The impact of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can reach far beyond the individual with PTSD, affecting the lives of friends and family caring for someone with PTSD. How can you recognize and cope with this stress as a caregiver for a loved one with PTSD? Stress Associated With Support Receiving support from others is very important during times of stress. Seeking support from another person is a healthy and effective way of dealing with a stressful event. During times of stress, people often turn to their loved ones first for support. It is important to realize that providing support requires energy and can be stressful. Watching a partner or spouse struggle with a problem can be upsetting and stressful. In many cases, it is possible to provide support without getting personally overwhelmed. However, when the stress is constant and support is frequently needed, caregiver burden may occur. What Is Caregiver Burden? PTSD can be viewed as a chronic illness, and the person with PTSD may require constant care from a loved one, such as a partner, parent, or another family member. Partners of people with PTSD may be faced with a number of stressors that go along with caring for and living with someone with a chronic disease. These stressors include financial strain, managing the persons symptoms, dealing with crises, the loss of friends or the loss of intimacy. Due to a loved ones illness, partners may be the only people who can take care of such stressors. This puts a large burden on them, and as a result, they may experience tremendous strain and stress, or caregiver burden. Studies on Caregiver Burden A few studies have looked at caregiver burden among partners caring for loved ones with PTSD. A brief discussion of two of these studies is provided below. In one study, researchers looked at 154 spouses of veterans with PTSD. They found that the severity of the veterans PTSD symptoms was connected to the amount of caregiver burden and distress experienced by the spouse.?? In other words, as a spouses PTSD symptoms got worse, so did the caregivers amount of burden and distress. Researchers have also looked at how PTSD symptoms such as depression, anger, and violence play out in relationships with PTSD patients and their caregivers. There may be a connection between how much detail about the trauma is shared with a partner?? but more research is needed to better understand the issues. Mental Health of Caregivers Studies looking at the wives of combat veterans have found that this stress can have damaging consequences psychologically. Among wives of combat veterans with PTSD, there was an increased risk not only of PTSD, but somatic disease, clinical depression, panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and an increased level of suicidality.?? Prevention It is important that caregivers have basic information about PTSD. Simply knowing the symptoms of PTSD and where they come from, can help caregivers gain a better understanding of their loved ones diagnosis and behavior. Mental health professionals recognize the stress that comes with caring for a loved one with PTSD. Caregivers may also benefit from attending individual therapy or support groups to find support for themselves, and to learn how to cope better with their loved ones PTSD. Couples counseling may also be useful. Recently, online support groups have popped up, giving caregivers the opportunity to talk 24/7 with other caregivers of people with PTSD. As with any support group, its important to know that while many of these provide excellent support, some groups can actually make you feel more depressed. If you choose to go online, make sure to connect with people who share your challenges but support you in coping. How to Cope Unfortunately, despite the significant impact of PTSD on family and friends, remarkably little research has looked at methods of helping caregivers cope with this stress. In addition, most of the research is dated and focuses on the incidence of caregiver burden rather than any effort to look at ways of reducing the burden. Not only is the health of caregivers important and worthy of more research, but these caregivers are also the primary source of support needed by those living with PTSD.?? Until more is known, caregivers of people living with PTSD may wish to look at ways that caregivers of those with other conditions such as dementia and cancer have coped with their challenge. Final Note on Caring for a Loved One With PTSD Caregivers may feel guilty if they take time for themselves; however, it is important for caregivers to realize that they too need time to recharge their batteries. Living with and caring for someone with PTSD is stressful. Unlike some conditions which are short-term, PTSD is a chronic condition that can feel unending at times. It is a marathon rather than a sprint, and as in a marathon, its important for caregivers to pace themselves and take time to rest. The more a caregiver can learn how to care for themselves, the better they will be able to care for others. Some of these simple tips for caregivers of cancer patients pertain just as much to caregivers of people with PTSD. Hopefully, the stress impact on caregivers of people with PTSD will be studied more carefully in the near future, not just to document the presence of stress, but to look for ways in which caregivers can best cope.