Caregiving isn’t an illness but it’s a condition that still needs treatment. It’s hard for non-caregivers to understand the chronic stress of the role, the isolation it brings, the depression that creeps in. Our needs are not often the first priority. We begin to resent the ones we love and consequently feel ashamed of our frustration. Although caregiving has many joys, it leaves us susceptible to sickness, loneliness and negative thinking.

The prescription for the caregiver condition doesn’t come in a tiny orange bottle. Our recovery from the stresses of caregiving starts when we open ourselves up to others to share honestly about our experience. We’re not alone in our role– others share our feelings. When we express ourselves to other caregivers we will undoubtedly hear magically healing words: “me too.” Our medicine requires us to reach out to others, to pour out our hearts on the page, and to read the words of fellow caregivers. The healing begins…