Supporting Carers and Partners
Supporting someone with difficulties so often goes largely unrecognised in society. Carers are the unsung heroes of the mental and physical health system; dealing with ups and downs on a daily basis. Not for pay or recognition, but for love, duty and respect for the human needs of their friends and family.
The 24/7 nature of caring for someone, and the need to be strong for someone else, even when you might need to scream for help is a relentless cycle. Being the one that always needs to fix and arrange things, or trying to maintain your loved ones' motivation and positivity can be a huge drain on your own energy.
It's a catch-22 situation, you're doing so much for someone, and others may recognise and praise you for it, at which point you my feel it is taboo to say 'I need help, not for them, but for me'.
Anxiety is very common for carers, often limiting the time you spend apart due to fear of something happening with you not there. Finances may be stretched, and carers may sacrifice dreams or life plans as they would feel they cannot focus on themselves until the situation improves.
You may have thoughts you feel you cannot share. Thoughts about quitting, about leaving and becoming free of your responsibilities. Worse, some carers even have suicidal thoughts, ridden with guilt about what would happen to their loved ones if they weren't there to support them. If you feel we can help, please get in touch.
Dealing with Diagnosis
If you've just received news a serious condition is affecting a loved one, mental or physical, your reactions may vary. Some crumble, while others find the strength to support their loved ones through diagnosis and treatment, forgetting they too must come to terms with big changes and adjust.
It can be hard to seek help when someone else's needs seem greater, but the sudden obliteration of many hopes, dreams and life plans, particularity when partners or children are diagnosed with a serious illness can often trigger grief reactions similar to a bereavement.
If this is affecting you we strongly advise you to speak to someone about your thoughts, feelings and needs to learn to cope with the changes. Joint sessions may also be appropriate for some.
Caring through mental illness
We have helped many carers not only build resilience and coping mechanisms, but also help gain clarity over how the way you interact with someone affects you, them, and the relationship.
Caring for someone with a mental health condition, you must understand not just the condition but how your own behaviour may improve or exacerbate their illness. Otherwise, reactions may be confusing, contradictory or frustrating when you're trying so hard and your efforts backfire.
Caring through physical illness
You may have been a carer for a long time, or it may be a new change for you. Either way, seeing your loved ones deteriorate physically and sometimes mentally can take its toll. The number of carers for relatives with degenerative diseases is growing, and you may need to come to terms with losing who the person used to be.
We offer a safe environment for you to work through the changes illness brings, the stress, the depression or, if needed, the acceptance of the mortality of a loved one and what life looks like after this loss.