In line with its mission, the Editorial Board of MedTvoiLokony makes every effort to provide reliable medical content supported by the latest scientific knowledge. The additional flag “Checked Content” indicates that the article has been reviewed by or written directly by a physician. This two-step verification: a medical journalist and a doctor allows us to provide the highest quality content in line with current medical knowledge.

Our commitment in this area has been appreciated, among others, by by the Association of Journalists for Health, which awarded the Editorial Board of MedTvoiLokony with the honorary title of the Great Educator.

Caring for a sick, dependent person is very demanding. Such people often require round-the-clock care, help in carrying out daily activities such as washing, eating or physiological needs. The caregiver, who usually becomes the patient’s immediate family, is completely alone with all this. Slowly, due to the burden of duties, he gradually gives up his social and professional life in order to be able to stay at home and devote more time to his ward. If this happens, it can lead to the development of depression, which, if left untreated, can be dangerous not only for the affected person, but also for those around them.

Diagnosis of depression in caregivers of sick people

Symptoms of depression can be a feeling of constant sadness and hopelessness, during which the caregiver increasingly feels like crying. He is no stranger to feelings of powerlessness resulting from being left alone with problems despite assurances from others about receiving help. The caregiver also feels guilty. He accuses himself of giving too little, that his efforts are insufficient. Apathy and weariness slowly appear, a person becomes more and more withdrawn in himself. At the same time, the often accumulating problems in contact with the person under care cause attacks of aggression in the caregiver, which over time it becomes difficult for him to control, which is why there is a risk of discharging them on the person of the patient.

Untreated depression can also lead to the abuse of alcohol and other stimulants. With them also come health problems. The caregiver stops taking care of himself, eats poorly, and due to the inability to cope with emotions, he has problems with insomnia and, as a consequence, there is also a loss of concentration.

  1. Also read: Depression in bedridden people – how to deal with it?

Treatment of depression in caregivers of sick people

The most important thing is not to let the guardian be closed with his / her child at home 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Especially if the caregiver is a family member, he should not be ashamed and use the help of qualified people by himself, allowing himself to regenerate. The person caring for the sick person has the right to meetings with friends and physical activities that will help them to forget about everyday problems. Especially the latter have a salutary effect in dealing with negative emotions, whether those directed towards oneself or the person under one’s care. The caregiver must realize that these kinds of sensations are natural and that suppressing them can only worsen their condition. That is why it is important to allow yourself to release them during physical activity. Remember that we often have no influence on the patient’s behavior, but we do have influence on our own reactions.

Frustration may be caused by the lack of adequate knowledge about the diseases affecting our ward. Then it is a good idea to consult doctors about them or ask for help from the appropriate associations and support groups. The latter can often offer not only psychological but also material help. There, the guardian can take part in classes conducted by psychologists and psychotherapists, thanks to which he will gain the necessary knowledge about coping with depression and caring for the patient, while maintaining good and positive relations with him.

Get more information on depression:

  1. Depression – symptoms, treatment. Causes and types of depression
  2. WHO: Depression at the forefront of diseases in the world
  3. Endogenous depression – the main causes, symptoms and treatments

The content of the medTvoiLokony website is intended to improve, not replace, the contact between the Website User and their doctor. The website is intended for informational and educational purposes only. Before following the specialist knowledge, in particular medical advice, contained on our Website, you must consult a doctor. The Administrator does not bear any consequences resulting from the use of information contained on the Website.

Leave a Reply