Studies show that an estimated 46 to 59 percent of caregivers are clinically depressed.  Caregiver stress can be compounded by the stress of the loved one being cared for: the stress felt by one partner (and how that affects behavior) adding to the stress felt by the other.  This circumstance can form a negative cycle of escalating stress that can lead to poor quality of life, health consequences, and poor decision making.

The caregiver can become overwhelmed by increased responsibilities, such as the need to care for children or elderly parents, pay bills, maintain the house - tasks that the partner may no longer be able to do because of the condition or the treatments.

The caregiver might focus on the needs of the patient and ignore their own health concerns. 

Here we provide some background on caregiver and patient stress, and resources that may help to relieve it and improve quality of life.  

Webcasts, Recent News & Outside Resources:

	New: Good tips on managing it  cancer.net
	Caregiver burnout: 10 ways to recharge and refocus http://cms.carepages.com/CarePages/en/ArticlesTips/HelpfulTips/better_you.html
	NCI Caring for the Caregiver: Support for Cancer Caregivers - Cancer.gov | PDF
	Balancing the caregivers needs: knowing when to seek support - Healthology Webcast  "Pure panic and fright and just feeling like nothing would ever be the same again."
	Quality of Life: Cancer patients, spouses report similar emotional distress,  U-M study finds eurekalert.org/  Interventions should be targeted to spouses along with patients The researchers urge more health care interventions aimed at emotional distress for  both patients and caregivers. At the same time, caregivers should recognize they too  are emotionally affected by this illness and seek appropriate support. Patients also  can play a role by encouraging their spouse to be actively involved in their care.

	Anger, anxiousness, or anxiety, and denial of same
	Feelings that are persistent, which diminish your quality of life and ability to function:  something bad is going to happen, or feeling empty guilt,  sadness, worthlessness, and/or helplessness/or pessimism fear of losing control
	Decrease in sociability
	Poor eating habits - overeating or appetite loss
	Physical symptoms that are persistent, which diminish your quality of life and ability to function: fatigue and exhaustion   aches or pains, headaches, cramps,  digestive problems that do not ease even with treatment
	Postponing or missing medical appointments
	Loss of interest in hobbies and activities that once interested you (including sex)
	Nervousness and restlessness - tense feelings, trembling and shaking
	Sleep problems (insomnia, early-morning wakefulness, or excessive sleeping)
	Thinking or problem solving deficits - inability to organize or prioritize
	Thoughts of suicide or suicide attempts

	Gently invite the patient or caregiver to talk about his or her fears and concerns.
	Avoid forcing a discussion about feelings and stress.
	Listen carefully without judging the other’s feelings, or your own.
	Decide together what specific things you can do to be supportive of each other.
	For severe anxiety, reasoning might not be helpful.  Instead, talk with your doctors about the symptoms and problems you notice. Call the doctor if you or your partner is having trouble breathing, is sweating, or feeling very restless or showing signs of profound exhaustion.
	To reduce stress: Let yourself be alone for a short time to clear your head - a change of scenery—even a brief walk can make a difference.  Exercise has many benefits—it promotes better sleep, reduces tension and depression, lifts spirits, and increases energy. Think of ways you can fit exercise into your daily routine. Go to a movie or have lunch with a friend.  Let others take part in the work of caregiving.  Make list of tasks and put them in order of importance.  This can reduce feelings of being overwhelmed and aid in helping others to help you. Talking about feelings that you or family members may be having. Try to accept feelings of sadness and frustrated as being normal. Decide together what specific things you can do to support each other. Avoid blaming yourself and others when you feel anxious and afraid. Try to identify the cause of the stress (usually a thought or opinion) and talk about it. Try to learn about the disease and the treatment options.   Often uncertainty and the unknown contributes to fear. Seek counseling and support groups.  See Support Groups Use prayer, meditation, or other types of spiritual support. Exercise to promote better sleep, reduces tension and depression, and increase energy.  Try to fit exercise into your daily routine.  See Exercise Try relaxation exercises or activities: yoga, take warm baths; read a book; listen to music; see a movie with a friend ... Talk with your doctor about the possible use of medicine for anxiety.  See Anxiety

	New: NCI Caring for the Caregiver: Support for Cancer Caregivers - Cancer.gov | PDF
	Online Depression Screening Test: med.nyu.edu   This is "a preliminary screening test for depressive symptoms that does not replace in any way a formal psychiatric evaluation."
	Depression Resource - nci.nih.gov
	Caregivers resource page - andthoushalthonor.org
	Caregiver Support - capitalhospice.org
	Caring for the Patient with Cancer at Home: A Guide for Patients and Families -  ACS.org Caregivers Often Neglect Their Mental Health  - ACS.org
	Chronic illness interjects complications into marriage - about.com
	Cancer effects entire family - plwc.org  "Cancer doesn't happen to just one person. Cancer happens to couples, families, and friends. The complex emotions and lifestyle changes that follow a cancer diagnosis can be almost as overwhelming for family members and friends as they are for the person with cancer. Cancer can change the way you relate to your family and friends, and the way they relate to you."
	Anxiety resource page - PAL Antidepressant information - PAL  Counseling resources - PAL Meditation resources - PAL
	Caregiver booklets from NCI: When-Someone-You-Love-Has-Advanced-Cancer When-Someone-You-Love-Has-Completed-Cancer-Treatment When-Someone-You-Love-Is-Treated
	Support Groups - PAL
	This is an excellent radio broadcast on the impact of terminal illness on a marriage and family-- its a tough listen but very well done - npr.org

Five must-do's when a loved one is ill  cnn.com  Don't be afraid to intervene  Ask questions until you understand the answer Remember that you know things the doctors don't Temper your loved one's enthusiasm for quick fixes Scope out the nurses