When we are responsible for someone else's well-being, sometimes we fall into the habit of considering their well-being before our own. This makes sense in certain situations — you may have to wait to go to the bathroom or eat a snack until after you feed your infant — but afterward, you will care for your own needs. If you continue to prioritize your dependents over your own needs, however, it can lead to feeling burned out and increase household stress. This is your reminder to take care of yourself, too!
You can't pour from an empty cup
If you constantly put all your energy into others, you often end up feeling physically and emotionally drained. The impact of having a child with a chronic condition like type 1 diabetes is felt by all family members involved in the child's life. The added stress and burden of care can increase family conflict and negatively impact the child's diabetes outcomes as well as quality of life for all involved.
Some caregivers have a difficult time shifting their priorities to care for themselves, but taking care of themselves first truly benefits all involved.
Recognizing distress or burnout
It's just as important to recognize signs of stress or burnout in yourself as it is to notice them in your child. Tools to measure diabetes distress in parents, children, adults, and significant others of adults with diabetes are available online at the Behavioral Diabetes Institute. For general distress or burnout, remember to check in with yourself, your support systems, and your medical team, if applicable. Burnout is typically characterized by the following symptoms:
- Irritability
- Fatigue
- Sleep issues
- Weight gain
- Feeling helpless or hopeless
- Social isolation
Top tips for caregivers
There is no one-size-fits-all for life's challenges, but here are some tried-and-true tips for caregivers to stay mentally well and avoid burnout.
- Develop Healthy Eating & Sleeping Habits — nourishing your body through food and adequate sleep
- Practice Self-Compassion — be kind to yourself and challenge your inner self-critic
- Cultivate Mindfulness Practices — meditation, tai chi, breathing exercises
- Find Support — finding support for life in general, as well as support in caring for your child with diabetes are paramount in maintaining resilience as a caregiver
At Friends for Life Orlando every summer, we have an amazing track of sessions designed for grandparents of children with diabetes to ensure parents can leave their children with them. Of course, we recognize that many families look a little different and welcome others seeking hands-on experience as well. It can also help to find local babysitters who either live with diabetes or have experience caring for it.
Whether you attend a Friends for Life conference, go to a diabetes camp, or go to a local diabetes event, connecting with other families who understand the day-to-day life of T1D offers a wealth of knowledge and support, and maybe even babysitters!
References:
Feasibility of a multidisciplinary pilot intervention for parent/caregiver diabetes distress
ISPAD Clinical Practice Consensus Guidelines 2022: Psychological care of children, adolescents and young adults with diabetes
Self-care for the caregiver
Written and clinically reviewed by Marissa Hitchcock, PWD, BSN, RN, CDCES
