I recently found an article in our local Sydney Morning Herald that made for some sad reading.
Professor Cummins from Deakin University has been researching the well-being of different societal groups for the last 6 years. The studies measure the degree to which different people are satisfied with their lives.
In the most recent study (October 2007) 3,750 carers were asked questions about health, relationships, safety and community involvement. A carer was defined as someone who looks after a frail, disabled or mentally ill relative.
According to the study carers have the lowest level of well-being of any group in the community. Further, the rate of moderately depressed carers was found to be 56% (general population is 6%), while almost 40% exhibited severe or extremely severe depression. As you can imagine the typical carer suffers a high level of dissatisfaction with life. And this is even in the presence of mitigating factors like a high income or being in a relationship.
This is tragic stuff. It really highlights to me the importance of looking after yourself as a carer. Have boundaries, have breaks without feeling guilty, maintain some part of your life that is separate from the person you’re caring for, build a support network (formal or informal), or join a support network, and find somewhere to fit in a bit of fun.
As a carer you need to stop yourself falling in a heap. You need to be resilient to mental illness, and you are far more effective in giving care to another if you remain healthy yourself.
Bipolar, Carers, Depression, mental illness
