ABSTRACT
Burnout also occurs outside formal work environments in those who give care to dependent others. This can also include those farming animals, for example on a dairy farm ‘every day is a Monday’. Caregivers’ burnout stems from long hours, lack of support and constant demands and lack of comprehension from their charges. Woman are over-represented in the caregiver role. Carers may, additionally, be ‘sandwiched’ between the needs of the young and those of the elderly, and handicapped by additional stressors such as financial insecurity. Others provide around-the-clock care to a partner or parent suffering from dementia. Divorces, abusive partners and serious health conditions are additional stressors. Caregiver burnout occurs when the caregiver neglects self-care or is unable to secure time to ‘recharge’. Symptoms include exhaustion, decreased empathy, concentration problems, social withdrawal, anxiety, irritability, depression, sleep disturbance and feelings of helplessness. Burnout can increase in line with career involvement: those whose work is their calling may give too much of themselves and burnout can be the dark side of self-sacrifice. Relentless demands, even when chosen, take their toll. Recovery after burnout is associated with introspection, therapist assistance and re-calibrating aspects of life towards better balance. Further strategies are discussed in subsequent chapters.
