Stress and anxiety

“ I always feel like I have something to keep an eye on. Even when everything is going well, I stay on alert, as if an emergency could happen at any minute. My body never really rests. ” 

This type of discomfort is a manifestation of stress and anxiety that are frequently experienced by caregivers. This role comes with many unexpected events, many uncontrollable factors, several responsibilities and important decisions to make that can generate stress and sometimes anxiety.

But, with a better understanding of the emotions experienced and the right support, it is possible to help your loved one without completely losing sight of yourself.

In this clip, Chantal shares the hypervigilance she feels in her role as a caregiver; after experiencing difficult situations, the brain ends up imagining the worst when the phone rings. In response to this experience, Mélanie Montpetit, a psychosocial worker at Groupe des aidants du Sud-Ouest (GASO), helps us differentiate stress from anxiety.

Better understanding these natural mechanisms of the body and mind can help us identify the source of our tension and take action to give ourselves the chance to breathe again.