The caretaker of a dependent person does this work, and they do only for love that person totally dependent on their care and attention, in addition to other feelings, like guilt, the sense of obligation, lack of family support and social , and in many cases, lack of economic resources.

What is the caregiver’s syndrome?
It is a disorder that occurs in people who play the role of primary caregiver of a dependent. It is characterized by physical and mental exhaustion. The person is suddenly faced a new situation which is not prepared and consumed all his time and energy. Is considered to be produced by continued stress (not a specific situation) in a daily fight against the disease (areas monotonous and repetitive), and can deplete the caregiver physical and mental.
Who has the disorder?

It occurs especially in those who must care for older adults undergo some degree of damage or deficiencies of neurological or psychiatric, such as Alzheimer’s.
In Spain there are currently about 600,000 Alzheimer’s patients, the first between neurodegenerative diseases and the leading cause of dementia in the elderly population.
The primary caregiver of an Alzheimer’s patient in Spain is usually a woman, aged between 40 and 60 years, daughter or spouse of the patient, who has no support from the rest of the family when the caregiver .
The primary caregiver is gradually assuming all of the patient care tasks (with the consequent physical and mental load), until it became the center of their lives and occupy their time (in the case of women also continue to do housework, care of children or grandchildren, etc).
Gradually losing its independence, reaching neglected herself, do not take time off for leisure, hobbies leaves, stays with friends, etc. and ends up paralyzing for many years, their life projects.

CHANGES OCCURRING IN YOUR LIFE

When we are caring for a sick family life are produced in a series of changes in the short and long term
Changes in family relationships (new tasks, conflicts ,…)
Changes in work and economic situation (absenteeism, abandonment, increased expense ,…)
Changes in leisure time (less time spent on leisure, family, friends, ultimately, ourselves)
Changes in health (fatigue, sleep disorders, …)
Changes in mood (guilt, worry, sadness, anxiety ,…)

FAMILIES: SIGNS OF DISORDER

It is important that family and friends of the main carer are aware of a number of symptoms that may indicate the presence of the disorder:

- Aggression against others
- Tension against care assistants (not properly tend to the sick)
- Impatience with the patient
- Denial of the real state
- Progressive isolation
- Motivation
- Depression
- Psychosomatic disorders
- Tiredness
- Anxiety
- Continued burden (feeling overwhelmed by the situation)
- Feelings of guilt.

DISORDER SYMPTOMS

Physical symptoms

Primary caregivers often have poorer health than non-family members and caregivers at risk of increased incidence of organic and physiological problems such as (Gallant and Connell, 1998, Schulz et al, 1995, Webber et al, 1994):
1 – musculoskeletal disorders and related pain
2 – Cardiovascular Pathologies
3 – Gastrointestinal Disorders
4 – immune system disorders
5 – Respiratory problems
However, even with these disorders usually do not go to medical appointments. Also do less “conduct of their own health care, as not enough sleep, eating improperly, no vaccine, no physical exercise, snuff and alcohol abuse, eating too much anxiolytics and hypnotics, failing medical treatment , etc.

PSYCHOLOGICAL SYMPTOMS

The mental health of primary caregivers tend to be more affected than physical health:
Clinical problems (depression, anxiety, stress, hypochondria, etc.)
psychosomatic problems (headache, loss of appetite, tremors, stomach problems, palpitations, dizziness, allergies, unmotivated, insomnia, impaired memory and concentration, etc.)
Emotional problems: If the feelings are natural, the caregiver become somewhat disturbing, because they do not know how to control them. The emotional reactions are varied:
- Sadness
- Concern
- Soledad
- Irritability
- Guilt
- Depression

PSYCHOLOGICAL INTERVENTION: Treatment guidelines
Psychological intervention should be cognitive behavioral, that is, should focus on changing cognitive (thoughts and emotions which can be facilitating the disorder) and the intervention on certain behaviors.
Preparing for the bereaved to be faced in the future (if you value that does not have effective coping strategies).
Group psychotherapy: This part is very important, the goal is to train social skills and problem solving whether internal (eg, deciding to devote more time to his own health) or external (eg, getting support from family and friends). The group has significant benefits:
The therapist offers detailed information about the disorder sufferers.
Find support from others in similar situations, so you can see new ways to solve their problems.
It helps them overcome their isolation, which might encourage them to seek more social contacts outside the group.
Listen and share experiences with people in similar situations provides emotional relief.
The knowledge that their opinions are heard and valued skills can increase self-esteem.

CAREGIVER TIPS
Know very well about the care required by the person who will care for it can check with your doctor.
Take each day enough.
Avoid self-medication.
Go to your doctor whenever you feel unwell, do not leave it for later and not give excuses for not going. Perform necessary follow-ups if you have a disease (hypertension, diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, etc.)..
Try to keep your friends and attend social gatherings and activities that allow them to continue to expand their social networks.
Continue to carry out some activities and hobbies that have always liked (movie, walk, exercise, go swimming, knitting, doing crossword puzzles, …).
Do not feel guilty for laughing or having fun, if you are happy it will be easier to cope.
Take care of your physical appearance will improve their wellbeing.
You have a time each week for yourself, so you should seek help from a relative, friend, or an attendant care for the sick during this time that belongs. It is also important to have a few days of vacation a year, after which you will see things differently.

Ana Moles
Psicologo Online