Caregiving is a full-time job that is both rewarding and emotionally taxing. Because of the nature of the caregiver role, it is common for caregivers to experience difficult emotions such as guilt, grief, and frustration – sometimes, all at the same time. However, it’s important to know that experiencing these feelings is completely normal and more common than you think.

Caregivers, whether family members or professionals, often become closely connected to the person they’re supporting, especially during end-of-life care. They witness the slow decline of someone they love or have closely bonded with, which naturally brings anticipatory grief. At the same time, caregiving disrupts daily life and can blur the lines between roles (for example, being both “the daughter” and “the caregiver”). People feel torn between wanting to be a good parent, partner, employee, and a good caregiver which can feel like an impossible standard. The emotional and logistical demands, including financial strain, constant medical tasks, and fear of doing something wrong can create feelings of frustration, guilt, and a sense of never doing enough. “Naming and understanding these emotions is the first step to managing them,” says Lucinda Stiles LMFT, Clinic Manager at Centerstone.

When a caregiver’s emotional stress reaches unhealthy levels, they are likely to experience burnout. Signs of burnout often appear when basic needs are no longer being met. These may include:

• Emotional dysregulation (feeling on edge or overwhelmed)
• Disrupted sleep
• Changes in appetite
• Trouble keeping up with daily responsibilities at home or work
• Withdrawing from others
• Feeling guilty about not doing enough for everyone

When someone is juggling their own emotions, the needs of the family, and the constant demands of caregiving, it can feel nearly impossible to function normally. This serves as an indication that stress has reached an unhealthy level.

When taking on so much, it can be challenging for caregivers to manage feelings of guilt when they feel like they aren’t doing enough. To remedy this, Stiles recommends collaboration as a good starting point. “Try not to carry everything alone,” she adds. When possible, caregivers should:

• Establish a support network and ask family members for help and share responsibilities
• Use hospice or palliative care resources, including grief counselors and social workers
• Seek therapy or counseling to process emotions

When responsibilities are shared, caregivers can start to feel relief and recognize that taking care of themselves doesn’t take away from the care they provide.

Expressing your feelings is not a sign of weakness or failure. It is a normal, human part of caregiving and grief. You deserve support and don’t have to navigate it alone. When you are ready to express your emotions in a safe space, Centerstone is here for you. Visit our website to learn more about our counseling services or call us at 1-877-HOPE123 (1-877-467-3123) to get connected to support today.