Caring for the Caregiver

What does that mean?

Joseph O. Vigil, Ph.D., LRCRehabilitation Psychologist

classic Late InfantileNeuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis (cLINCL)(also referred to as classic Late Infantile Batten Disease)

Stress

AARRRGGGHHH!!!!

Physiology• Central Nervous

System• Peripheral Nervous

System - Somatic (Voluntary)

Nervous System - Autonomic

Nervous System - Sympathetic -

Parasympathetic

Sympathetic Nervous System

• Heart Rate Increases• Pupils Dilate• Blood Vessels Constrict• Increase Blood Volume to Striated Muscle• Platelets Get Stickier• Increase Fat in Bloodstream• GI Tract Shuts Down

Everyday Events?

• Caring for special needs child(ren)• Caring for other child(ren)• Money issues• Physical and mental health concerns• Family issues• Job stressors• Traffic• ??

Birthday Parties!!!(AARRRGGGHHH!!!!)

Life’s little bumps and bruises!!(OOOOOOHHHHHHHH!!!)

Trips to other countries!(AAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!)

Other Stressful Things**Any Adjustment** Divorce Marital SeparationRetirement Death in Family Personal Injury or IllnessMarriage Death of Spouse Fired/Employment SeparationPregnancy Sexual Difficulties Death of Close FriendGain New Family Member Illness in Family Chronic Med Condition in FamilyChanging Jobs Spouse’s Job Change in Work HoursBusiness Readjustment Trouble with Boss Change in Work ConditionsChange in Residence Changing School Change in RecreationChanging Churches **Moving** Changes in Social OutletsLearning New Community Home Repairs Attending to Home MaintenanceChanges in Sleep Patterns In-home Visitors Beginning or Ending SchoolingFinancial Matters Foreclosure Change of Financial State**Vacation****Christmas****Outstanding Personal Achievement**

Myths About Stress

Stress is always bad for you.

No symptoms mean no stress.

It’s safe to ignore minor symptoms.

What do we do when stressed?

Eat

Drink Alcohol

Smoke

Physical Consequencesof Continued Stress

• Your body stays tense if you don’t use the “fight or flight” energy your body has ready to expend

• Hypertension• Headaches• Body aches• Impair immune system

Emotional Consequencesof Continued Stress

• Less able to handle other stressors• May be moody or “short” with others,

especially those with whom we feel most comfortable

• Irritability• Depressive symptoms• Chronic anxiety or nervousness

Emotional Consequences (cont.)

Behavioral Consequencesof Continued Stress

• Can lower self-control• Overeating• Anger outbursts• Sleeping problems• Fatigue• Inability to slow down and relax

Behavioral Consequences (cont.)

Cognitive Consequencesof Continued Stress

• Forgetfulness• Poor attention span or

concentration problems• Poor judgment• Lower work productivity secondary to

the above

Strategies for Dealing with Stress Exercise!!!! Take care of yourself Be around others who make you

feel good, while avoiding those who always bring you down

Make time for fun Accept help from others!!!!

Strategies (continued) Help others Renew spiritual values Learn relaxation techniques Don’t put unnecessary pressure

on yourself Set reasonable goals Laugh

Strategies (continued) Live one day at a time Tell the truth – lies are stressful Don’t procrastinate TALK about your problems