There are very few people who don’t really know what it’s like to feel anxious, even just occasionally. When you’re a caregiver, especially as a new one, you’re going to experience a good bit of anxiety. Are you doing the right things? Is your senior okay, is she happy? These and so many other questions will dance around in your head. If you let it, anxiety can steal the best parts of caregiving from you.
Start to Acknowledge Anxiety for What it Is
Part of the reason that it can be so difficult to realize you’re dealing with anxiety is that it’s easy to call it something else. You might tell yourself that you’re just tired or that you haven’t been eating well lately. All of that can be true, but you may still also be dealing with anxiety as well. When you give something a name, you have a better opportunity to get a handle on how it affects you.
Get Familiar with Your Anxiety Signs
Anxiety symptoms tend to follow the same lines, but not all symptoms are ones that every person experiences. Your symptoms might involve trouble concentrating, trouble sleeping, and just generally feeling ill at ease. Other people experience full-on anxiety attacks, with pounding heartbeats, sweating, and moments where they can’t control their responses. It’s vital that you learn exactly what your own anxiety signs are so that you know when your anxiety is ramping up.
What Are Your Triggers?
In addition to your symptoms, you need to know your triggers. Your anxiety triggers are the situations and scenarios that cause your anxiety to spike. For a caregiver, your anxiety might get worse when you think about the things that could happen to your senior or when you can’t be right there with her. When you know what situations cause you the most anxiety, you can prepare for those much more effectively.
Reach out for Some Help
Dealing with anxiety on your own is possible, but you don’t have to do that. Talk to your doctor first to determine if there might be physical causes for your anxiety. If there are, you can start managing those. It might also be helpful to find a counselor that you trust. You can work through your anxiety with someone who understands what you’re dealing with.
Serious anxiety issues aren’t something you have to just push through as a caregiver. You’ll find that as you face your anxiety head-on you’re better able to find ways to manage it.
If you or a loved one are considering Caregiver Services in South Hills PA, please call and talk to the caring staff at Extended Family Care of Pittsburgh at (412) 693-6009. We will answer all of your questions.
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