Depression

Many people with symptoms of depression don’t describe themselves as feeling depressed. Some people don’t recognize the symptoms in themselves, while others may have a hard time admitting they feel depressed. It can be embarrassing to talk about. An individual may feel like a failure or that people will judge them. But here’s what you need to know: for caregivers, depression is more common than you might think, and it’s a normal response to a difficult situation. It is not unusual for caregivers to develop mild or more serious depression as a result of the constant demands they face while providing care.

Topics in this section include understanding the unique characteristics of caregiver depression, how depression affects health, grief and loss, and supporting a person with depression.

Best resources for getting started:

• Depression and Caregiving
• Building Your Family Caregiver Toolkit: Supporting a Loved One with Depression