Caregiver Guilt
Recognizing Feelings of Caregiver Guilt
Guilt is a common feeling experienced by family caregivers. Some of the thoughts caregivers might have include:
“I could have done more to prevent my loved one from getting sick”
“I should spend more time with my loved one”
“Sometimes I get impatient with my loved one, I shouldn’t feel that way”
“My loved one fell at home, and it’s all my fault”
It is perfectly normal to feel guilt. Anger, resentment, and guilt are emotions that most family caregivers will experience at some point in their caregiving journey. Remind yourself that it is okay to feel this way from time-to-time.
Three Steps to Address Caregiver Guilt
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Is Guilt Helpful or Harmful?
Guilt is not always a bad thing. Sometimes, it can lead us to make helpful changes to the way we act. For instance, if you get in a big argument, guilt might motivate you to apologize and repair the relationship. In these cases, you should take responsibility and forgive yourself.
Forgiving yourself is a key step in being able to move on from guilt. To do this, it is helpful to remember that you are human, and humans are not perfect. Remind yourself that everyone makes mistakes.
If guilt tries to motivate you to change a situation that can’t be changed, then it can be harmful. If you don’t address guilt, it can impact your relationships with the people around you.
