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| How To Deal With Caregiver Anger |
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Do ever find yourself really angry about being a caregiver? If you find yourself angry, you have a lot of company. It's a common reaction for adult caregivers. And it's important to realize you need to find ways to constructively manage that anger. The stress and frustration of caregiving can frazzle emotionals and shorten your emotional fuse. The largest source of caregiver anger flows from a sense that you can't exert adequate control over the situation you find yourself in. It's a boiling combination of frustration emotional pain, disappointment, harassment and feeling threatened. So if you are dealing with anger issues, you have good reason, but don't let it control you. Here are a few simple ideas for coping with caregiver anger: Instant handling-Get away for a while. Simply walking into another room or around the block can calm you down. Count to 10 before responding-Give yourself time to regroup emotionally. Take smooth, even, deep breaths-You'll add much needed oxygen to your blood stream. Plus the act of controlling your own breathing gives you a sense of control over the situation. As you inhale deeply, calmly tell yourself you are in control. Learn to be assertive-Being assertive means being decisive and insistent. You don't have to be angry when expressing your concerns and needs to others. Keep a journal-Every time you get angry, write down down what events trigger you anger. See if there are recurring problems or issues you need to addressed? Know your limits and those around you-This includes your family and other caregivers. Setting unrealistic expectations about what you can do as a caregiver leads to unnecessary stress. Stay objective-Ask yourself if it's really worth getting upset about. Can you find something humorous in the situation instead? When caregiver anger begings to rule your life, it's a sure sign you need a break or extra help. Caregiving is hard work but it shouldn't ruin your life. There are plenty of places to find help. A good place to start is with you place of worship. Another is The Eldercare Locator. It's a free public service of the Unites States Administration on Aging http://www.eldercare.gov/Eldercare/Public/Hom e.asp |