Indicators of Caregiver Stress

Health Issues

• Tension or migraine headaches
• Muscle tension, aching shoulders and back
• Gritting or grinding your teeth
• Palpitations with no history of heart disease
• Changes in your health status, sick more often
• Arthritis, bursitis or other "itis" is worse
• Feeling not well with different symptoms every day

Eating and Sleeping Issues

• Difficult to fall asleep, restless sleep, fatigue
• Loss of appetite, nothing tastes good
• Eating when not hungry
• Weight loss or gain
• Digestive problems, upset stomach
• Inability to rest, feeling driven to do something
• Taking alcohol or pills to sleep, stay awake or relax

Feelings and Clear Thinking

• Unable or difficult to enjoy time off
• Watching television, reading and listening without interest
• Feeling guilty, you are neglecting other family or friends
• No social life, not seeing friends or family
• Increased irritability or short tempered
• Feeling emotional, overreacting or crying without cause
• Feeling overwhelmed, too much to do - so do nothing
• Increased number of small accidents, spills
• Inability to focus or concentrate on tasks
• Memory loss or increased forgetfulness

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