I haven't visited the forum for a long time. It's encouraging to see this space for former carers. A really good move. I read about Derek's jury service problem in the Carers UK email and came on the site to comment on that - and was surprised to see this new section.
As I'm here, I thought I would just mention the impact of caring on my health.
I used to be a person who had never experienced significant mental health issues. In the 10 months since my mum died I have attempted suicide 4 times. This has been caused by the bereavement followed by a trauma 10 days later - the psychiatrists say that the physical and mental exhaustion (that I experienced as a result of being a carer in my mum's last few months) made me unable to cope with the traumatic event that closely followed my mum's death. I apparently had a near-psychotic reaction to the traumatic event, and went on to develop PTSD and dissociation. At a psychological assessment in December I was told that I had been profoundly affected by the experience of being my mum's sole carer in her last few months when she was incapable of doing anything for herself, and when I had no emotional or practical support.
I do not have much expectation of recovering as I have been unable to access psychological treatment as I am apparently still "too distressed".
I sometimes feel that all this is the price I have paid for being a carer. It seems so wrong.
Although I do not regret caring for my mum, I never imagined how I would be affected in the long-term. I would love the Government to know the profound affect that caring can have on a person, even after they stop caring.
As I'm here, I thought I would just mention the impact of caring on my health.
I used to be a person who had never experienced significant mental health issues. In the 10 months since my mum died I have attempted suicide 4 times. This has been caused by the bereavement followed by a trauma 10 days later - the psychiatrists say that the physical and mental exhaustion (that I experienced as a result of being a carer in my mum's last few months) made me unable to cope with the traumatic event that closely followed my mum's death. I apparently had a near-psychotic reaction to the traumatic event, and went on to develop PTSD and dissociation. At a psychological assessment in December I was told that I had been profoundly affected by the experience of being my mum's sole carer in her last few months when she was incapable of doing anything for herself, and when I had no emotional or practical support.
I do not have much expectation of recovering as I have been unable to access psychological treatment as I am apparently still "too distressed".
I sometimes feel that all this is the price I have paid for being a carer. It seems so wrong.
Although I do not regret caring for my mum, I never imagined how I would be affected in the long-term. I would love the Government to know the profound affect that caring can have on a person, even after they stop caring.