Taking Care of the Caregiver
You cannot pour from an empty cup — and you cannot regulate someone else's nervous system if yours is shot. This section is for you, not them.
Rate each statement from 1 (rarely) to 5 (almost always). This is not a clinical diagnosis — it's a self-awareness tool adapted from the Professional Quality of Life Scale (Stamm, 2010).
1. I feel emotionally exhausted from supporting my loved one.
2. I have trouble sleeping because I worry about them.
3. I feel trapped in my role as a supporter.
4. I have less patience than I used to.
5. I've withdrawn from my own friends or activities.
6. I feel guilty when I take time for myself.
7. I sometimes feel resentful toward my loved one.
8. I've neglected my own health appointments or self-care.
9. I feel like nothing I do makes a difference.
10. I have physical symptoms (headaches, stomach issues, fatigue) that weren't there before.
0 of 10 answered