McLeod - Caregiving & Depression

Caregiving & Depression
by Beth McLeod
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Book Excerpt Interview

Book Excerpt Interview

November is National Caregiver's Month
November marks the first annual National Caregiver's Month. For the first time in history many states and local communities are recognizing November as National Caregiver's Month. As a result of the growing numbers of caregivers; wives, husbands, relatives, friends and adult children and the work of the National Family Caregivers Association, this event has been established. It hopes to promote public awareness of caregivers- what they do, how they handle the demands of caregiving and what situations they face.

Thousands of people take care of loved ones at home. The ever- expanding number of aging Americans and deterioration in their health has mandated a national discussion of caregiving in this country.

At the forefront of this dialogue is Beth Witrogen McLeod, author of Caregiving The Spiritual Journey of Love, Loss, and Renewal. She is the voice for tens of thousands of courageous and giving people who take care of their loved ones during one of the hardest times in their lives. Not only does she write books and lectures about this all too important topic, she hosts online seminars and counsels fellow caregivers as to the best way to help their loved ones and not lose themselves in the process.

As a Caregiver You May be at Risk for Depression
by Beth Witrogen McLeod
Reprinted with permission by the author.
Š1999 by Beth Witrogen McLeod. All rights reserved.

One of today's biggest health-care crises is the depression faced by those who minister to aging relatives and friends, say doctors, psychologists, and social workers. According to the National Family Caregivers Association, more than 60 percent of caregivers experience depression; the figure is even higher among those who cared for loved one with dementia. In general, women caregivers suffer more than men.

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Caregiving : The Spiritual Journey of Love, Loss, and Renewal

Beth Witrogen McLeod

Compounded by the stresses of caring for a frail loved one over the long term, 20 percent report severe depression that may require medical intervention. The biological reasons for this kind of depression can be left to research, but one psychological reason is certainly clear:
Caregivers not only anguish over what has happened to their loved one, but they are also upset by what is required of them. Wanting to be good caregivers, but without adequate support and resources, and without enough time and energy to fulfill competing demands, they may succumb to a darkness that is out of their control.

Alzheimer's caregivers are known as the hidden or second victim of the disease. They commonly suffer from fatigue, stomach problems, headaches, difficulty sleeping, anger, sadness, and especially depression. The cause is clear. Because more than 70 percent of suffers live at home, they are cared of by relatives and friends day and night for as many as 20 years. An average Alzheimer's caregiver spends on average, 69 hours a week caring for a relative stricken with the disease- and has done so for at least four years. Fifty percent of Alzheimer's caregivers live with their loved one.

The grief, loss and irreversible changes in lifestyle can be devastating to an Alzheimer's caregiver. It is hard to feel comfort in doing a good job as a caregiver when the loved one's condition only declines. It is hard to feel good about yourself when everything around you is unpredictable and unreal.

Caregivers have more power over what is happening than they realize- but first, they need to be aware of their condition.

Remember, although major depression is a serious illness, it is treatable in 80 percent to 90 percent of cases. ( It is also known as major depressive illness, clinical depression, major affective disorder or unipolar
disorder.)

No one has to suffer needlessly. The following are seven warning signs of major depression, from the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill.

Changes in sleep, either increase or decrease or difficulty falling asleep or staying awake.
Changes in appetite, with either a marked gain or loss of weight.
Impaired concentration and decision-making (major and minor).
Loss of energy and profound fatigue.
Loss of interest in usual activities such as food and sex.
Low self-esteem, dwelling on loss or failure.
Feelings of hopelessness and a belief that nothing will get better.

More information is available from the following organizations:

National Alliance for the Mentally Ill, 800-950-NAMI; www.nami.org
National Mental Health Organization, 800-969-NMHA; www.nmha.org
American Psychiatric Association, 800-267-5400; www.psych.org

Book Excerpt Interview

Depression and Mood Swings
by Linda Ojeda
Linda Ojeda, author of Menopause without Medicine says, "A number of herbs have been proven to calm anxiety and reduce tension. It is advantageous to use herbs in conjunction with positive changes in nutrition and lifestyle." She also talks about using Ginkgo biloba, Passion flower, Skullcap and other natural ways to improve mood.

Bipolar Disorder in Children
Who has it and what you can do
By Martha Hellander, J.D.
Bipolar disorder (also known as "bipolar illness" or "manic-depressive illness") is a treatable neurobiological brain disorder believed to occur in at least 1-2 percent of the adolescent and adult population. As many as one million or more children under 18 in the U.S. may have bipolar disorder (mostly undiagnosed and untreated). Children with bipolar disorder are at risk for school failure, substance abuse, and suicide. Children as young as 3 may talk of wanting to "make myself dead." What are the signs and symptoms of this problem and what can you do about it? Find out more.

Eat Your Way to Better Health
by Monique N. Gilbert, B.Sc.
Making the right dietary choices can have a profound impact on our health and longevity. As a society, we have the largest assortments of foods in the world, both good and bad. However, this availability can tempt us to eat unhealthy foods. Fortunately, overcoming these temptations is easier than you think. A few simple changes in your diet can make the difference between being healthy and unhealthy. So, you may ask, what kind of diet do researchers recommend for promoting and maintaining good health?