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Keeping Your Spirits Up
Recognizing and Avoiding Depression
By Kelly Burgess
Suzanne Mintz can empathize with anyone who is feeling depressed or overwhelmed by being the primary caregiver for a loved one. Mintz, president and co-founder of the National Family Caregivers Association, has been caring for her husband, Steven, since 1974 when he was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. A few months ago, she realized she was spiraling toward depression and decided it was time to seek professional help, both to deal with her depression and to help ease her burden.
"I give advice to caregivers all the time, so you'd think I'd be more open to messages about taking care of myself," Mintz says. "But this is not the first time I've suffered from depression. It's important for the caregiver to remember that if they fall apart there's no one else there to take care of their loved one. We have to make ourselves the priority."
Even the most knowledgeable and connected caregivers can still become overwhelmed, which is why it's important to recognize the signs of depression so you can get help. According to the National Mental Health Association, the following are some common signs of depression:
- A persistent sad, anxious or "empty" mood.
- Sleeping too little, early morning awakening or sleeping too much.
- Reduced appetite and weight loss or increased appetite and weight gain.
- Loss of interest or pleasure in activities once enjoyed.
- Restlessness or irritability.
- Difficulty concentrating, remembering or making decisions.
- Fatigue or loss of energy.
- Thoughts of death or suicide.
In addition, Mintz notes that anger toward the one you're caring for is another important sign to watch out for. "What I realized [with my depression] was that on top of the exhaustion was this sense of losing patience and translating that into taking it out on Steven by pushing a little too hard on something that wasn't important," Mintz says. "The danger is in taking that to a greater extent where it can be called abuse."
