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Caring role and depression

Posted By lionfd87

"Caring role and depression"

About: Inclusion Thurrock (Talking Therapies)

(as a service user),

Caring for someone with severe debilitating depression for several years.

I became depressed, frustrated, crying alone- lockdown didn’t help!

Eventually went to GP, prescribed medication and contact Inclusion.

Inclusion contacted and provided counselling support.

As a result I spoke for the first time openly about my feelings about my situation.

While my caring situation hasn’t changed and recognise it won’t in the short term I can face it in a more positive way.

I am now in a period of reflection on what further support I may require going forward

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Responses

Response from Adam Laws, Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner, Inclusion Thurrock IAPT, Inclusion Thurrock 3 years ago
Adam Laws
Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner, Inclusion Thurrock IAPT,
Inclusion Thurrock

Submitted on 18/02/2021 at 12:21
Published on Care Opinion at 12:21

Dear lionfd87,

Thank you for sharing your experiences. You make a very important point here that the role of a carer is extremely difficult at times, we often begin to think that we must stay strong for those we care for and push through difficulties like low mood and frustration and generally prioritise their wellbeing over our own. This is completely normal (even more so during lockdown!) but can be very difficult for carers to maintain over time.

It's great to hear that you were able to openly discuss what had been going on for you, sometimes this is the hardest step as we often don't want to disclose our difficulties to the person we care for. You're very right that although caring situations do not change overnight, we are able to use techniques and skills to manage our own struggles with this - thinking more positively or in a balanced way is certainly part of this.

We're really proud of the work we do with carers here, so I hope you are able to take this new focus on your own wellbeing forward into the future. In terms of further support, there is a specialised carer's service (Thurrock Carer's Service) that we often signpost to. You may already be in contact with them, but if not maybe take a look at their website: http://www.thurrockcarers.org.uk/.

Otherwise, we wish you all the best for the future!

Kind regards,

Adam

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