When someone in a family suffers from a chronic illness usually that results in another family member assuming the role of caregiver this means the…

Try: When someone in a family suffers from a chronic illness usually that results in another family member assuming the role of caregiver this means the whole family is ultimately affected by changes in the family routines some emotional reactions to these changes can be shock anxiety relief denial unrealistic hopes or pessimism acknowledgement depression internal or external anger fatigue frustration withdrawal discomfort over changes in roles grief the five "r’s" of coping are recognizing stress when you recognize the early warning signs of stress you can prevent it from increasing and getting out of control because when stress gets out of control it also affects your responses to others around you the 10 warning signs of stress are denial of the disease and its effects anger at the person with the disease social withdrawal anxiety about the future depression symptoms beginning to break the spirit exhaustion and not being able to complete daily tasks sleeplessness caused by concern irritability leading to negative responses and reactions lack of concentration health problems relax learn to engage in relaxing activities whenever and wherever possible to cope with stress when the relaxation response is turned on the stress response is turned off reassuring thinking do you always think the worst are you an "i can’t" instead of an "i can" person do you have your expectations too high do you have an "all or nothing" attitude do you degrade or berate yourself do you focus on the negative rather than the positive aspects of situations use realistic statements such as this too shall pass one day at a time choose your battles i make mistakes just like everyone else i know i can do this i’ve been through worse this experience has made me a better person don’t sweat the small stuff it could be worse i choose joy take control and learn to identify what causes stress by changing the thought process it will make us better able to function better in life and feel better relating assertively by learning to communicate better listen and let the person know you hear them be respectful and open to their views approach the problem in a "solution" mode not a "blaming mode" focus on the solution not the problem recovery "do’s" schedule time for exercise give yourself permission to cry walk get enough rest take things as they come keep a journal once in a while turn things over to someone else realize things won’t always work out the way you want them to share your feelings with someone you trust count your blessings let go of things that don’t need to be held onto practice positive coping strategies remind yourself that you can handle difficult situations face challenges head on – don’t avoid them be willing to have a sense of humor references adapted from powerpoint presentation by samantha backhaus phd rehabilitation hospital of indiana

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Categories: Caregiver Needs&Support, Cognitive Intellectual, Communication, Emotional Psychological, Medical Physical

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*This information is listed as a Fact Sheet and is not explicitly medically licensed

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