Reply To: Mental health affected by caring

[amy]

Im a part-time carer. I know I show signs of depression at times, but I know that I’m not depressed, because as soon as I’m away from problems relating to my son and Social Services etc. I bounce back to my usual happy self.
Some days I make a deliberate policy of not even thinking about them, and doing something for me alone (usually sewing for my next holiday) but of course now I’m only a part-time carer I can do that, no chance when there were five people competing for my attention at the same time, and focussed on what they wanted me to do for them without ever thinking that the other four deserved a bit of time too!!!
So think if you are just completely and utterly fed up with being in a “virtual jail” because of lack of services. It’s a fine line between depression and utterly fed up, but it’s important to decide for yourself whether or not you are still the “real me” under everything, or whether nothing ever snaps you out of your current mood.
Is residential care the only option left? You cannot be forced to care. Your life has value too!