When a carer needs care

Many of us wouldn’t hesitate to help a loved one who is struggling with OCD or anxiety.  However, supporting a family member or friend going through these difficulties can be extremely taxing and emotionally draining. Caregiver burnout is a common phenomenon, and can lead to the development of mental health issues in caregivers themselves, such as anxiety and depression.

It is therefore important for carers to prioritise their own mental health as much as possible, and seeking professional support can assist with this. Some benefits of therapy for family members and other carers of those with mental illness include:
1.     Better understanding of what your loved one is going through: Through providing education and other techniques, your therapist can explain the intricacies of your loved one’s diagnosis, so that you are better able to understand how their mind works and the ways in which they struggle.
2.     Learning how to best support your loved one: By explaining the key therapeutic techniques your loved one is engaging in and the rationale behind them, you will be better equipped to support them through this in a way that is most effective for their recovery.
3.     Having someone to talk to about YOUR struggles: Having someone to talk to about the impact that your family member’s condition is having on you can be a huge stress-reliever. You can talk about your worries and vent any frustrations to an empathetic ear, who will listen without judgement and provide you with the support that you are used to providing for others.
4.     Learn strategies for self-care and coping: Helping someone with OCD or anxiety can often involve managing unpredictable and challenging situations. Working with a therapist can help carers develop coping strategies such finding emotional outlets and learning how to set boundaries.
5.     Strengthen your relationship with your loved ones: Family relationships can become easily strained when dealing with the stress caused by a family member’s mental illness. Gaining a better understanding of your family member’s diagnosis and learning ways to cope through therapy can increase empathy within the family unit and help rebuild family relationships.

When encouraging your loved one with OCD or anxiety to reach out for professional support, or supporting them through their psychology sessions, it can be easy to forget that support is available for you too. However, seeking support for yourself can be just as important, not just so that you are better equipped to help your loved one, but also for your own mental health.

by Gabriela Tavella -Integral Psychology