Emotional exhaustion and depression are two issues that can plague caregivers. Left untreated, both depression and emotional exhaustion can lead to burnout and serious health issues, which is why it’s so important to know the symptoms, reasons and treatments for each one.
“Emotional exhaustion and depression can manifest in very similar ways, but they are two distinct issues that have very specific treatments,” says John Moniz, Executive Director of Bridges® by EPOCH at Hingham. “The issue that comes into play is that what works to help emotional exhaustion does not always help depression, and vice versa. Understanding the differences and how to treat both of them will help you receive the care you need so you can remain healthy and be the best caregiver possible.”
What is emotional exhaustion?
Emotional exhaustion is when you feel drained and emotionally worn out due to accumulated stress in your life. This is definitely the case for caregivers who end up working sometimes around the clock to care for their loved one without having the time to care for themselves. People experiencing emotional exhaustion may feel stuck, trapped or powerless over what happens in their lives.
What is depression?
Depression is a constant feeling of sadness and loss of interest that stops you from participating in your normal activities. There are many different types of depression and symptoms can range from minor to severe. Depression can be situational (caused by events or specific instances in your life) or it can be physical (due to a chemical imbalance in the brain). Depression does not result from one single event, but instead from a mix of different factors and events. Generally, accumulated stress – by itself – does not cause depression.
What causes emotional exhaustion?
Emotional exhaustion generally occurs if someone feels overwhelmed by factors in their life. They may believe they have a lack of control or they may not be correctly balancing self-care with life’s demands. Some examples of things that can trigger emotional exhaustion include:
Financial stress
Being a caregiver
Experiencing a significant life change (like divorce or death)
Having children
Experiencing homelessness
Living with a chronic condition
Being overworked
What causes depression?
Depression, unlike emotional exhaustion, is an actual disease – much in the same way that diabetes, heart issues or medical conditions are diseases. It can be caused by seemingly countless reasons: some people experience depression during a serious illness; others experience it with life changes; others have a family history of depression.
What are the symptoms of emotional exhaustion?
The symptoms of emotional exhaustion can be both emotional and physical, including:
Lack of motivation
Trouble sleeping
Irritability
Extreme fatigue
Absentmindedness
Depression
What are the symptoms of depression?
Many of the symptoms of depression are the same as emotional exhaustion. The biggest difference is that depression can manifest as feelings of loneliness and sadness with no apparent reason. Other symptoms manifested by depression (but not by emotional exhaustion) include low self-esteem, feelings of hopelessness and suicidal thoughts.
What are the biggest differences between emotional exhaustion and depression?
With emotional exhaustion, most of the problems and difficulties are related to situational, external forces – like being overworked or becoming a caregiver. If adjustments are made to these external forces, the emotional exhaustion will lessen and become manageable. However, with depression, just making adjustments to external forces may not be enough. Other treatments like therapy or possibly medication may be necessary.
How do you treat emotional exhaustion?
As mentioned, making certain lifestyle changes can help reduce emotional exhaustion. Many of these changes are things that will help you be healthier overall, including:
Eliminating stressors in your life
Taking a break from the things that are causing you stress (for example, taking time to step away from your caregiving duties for a short time)
Eating a healthy, balanced diet
Getting regular physical exercise
Limiting use of alcohol, tobacco and drugs
Getting enough sleep on a regular basis
Practicing mindfulness techniques
Staying connected with people you care about
How do you treat depression?
Depression, like emotional exhaustion, is a treatable condition. However, while making the lifestyle changes mentioned above can be beneficial, you will more than likely require more treatment if you are truly depressed. The best thing to do is speak with your doctor about treatment. Most people who suffer from depression can be helped with the appropriate treatment. Whether that’s through medication, therapy or a combination of both.
Questions to Ask Yourself
If you’re wondering if you’re experiencing emotional exhaustion or depression, here are some questions to ask yourself.
Do you lose track of your train of thought or find it hard to follow a conversation?
Do you no longer have time or energy to engage in your favorite hobbies?
Are you fully present when engaged in a conversation with someone, or is your mind wandering to other things, like what you should be doing?
Are you sleeping a lot or too little?
Do you always feel exhausted, even if you got a good night’s sleep?
Are you making the effort to eat healthy meals, or do you forget to eat or opt for quick, unhealthy options?
Are you getting regular exercise?
Do you often feel sick or run down?
Are you withdrawing from commitments or social activities?
Do you feel detached from life, overly sad, or disengaged?
Are you finding yourself increasingly short, rude or irritated with other people?
If you find yourself answering “yes” to more than a few questions, take some steps to help reduce your stress, including scheduling an appointment with your physician to discuss options and determine whether you’re experiencing emotional exhaustion or depression.
Exceptional Care & Fulfilling Lifestyle
Bridges® by EPOCH at Hingham provides memory care assisted living that is comfortable, positive, safe and engaging. Exclusively dedicated to caring for those with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia, our community offers a wellness-focused lifestyle that promotes dignity and individual preferences. Our memory care professionals receive specialized and ongoing training designed to help residents maximize their independence in a secure, calm environment – enriching the lives of our residents every day.
Inspiring Programs for All Stages
No matter what level of care or service is needed, residents and families can rest assured that our care and life-enrichment programs address the various stages of memory decline, allowing residents the opportunity to age in place.
Dedicated Memory Care
At Bridges® by EPOCH at Hingham, our services are designed to recognize and adapt to the unique challenges and individuality of each resident, while ensuring comfort and safety. We believe in a full-service approach to care and provide a high level of personalized attention for residents in various stages of memory loss.
Bridges® by EPOCH is New England’s largest stand-alone memory care assisted living provider.
Contact us today to learn more.