C o p i n g w i th
P o s t
T r a u m a t i c
C a r e g i v i n g
By Mike Verano, LPC, LMFT, CCISM, CEAP, BC-TMH
According to a 2015 AARP study, over 40 million
Americans are caregivers. While we know a lot
about the experiences of this group—the financial,
mental and emotional impact—what is not always clear
is how they entered into their caregiver roles. Studies on
stress, burnout and compassion fatigue have identified the
challenges faced by caregivers and often provide survival
tips. What has not garnered the same amount of attention
is the fact that many people enter into this realm shellshocked—
stunned into emotional turmoil by witnessing a
critical moment in the life of a loved one.
Psychotherapists, trained in assessing and providing
support for trauma victims, know very well both the short
and long term impacts of being exposed to situations that
overwhelm one’s natural ability to cope. Even those who do
not inhabit the world of psychological diagnoses know very
well that PTSD refers to post traumatic stress disorder and
how serious and pervasive it is in a world where traumatic
events happen with alarming regularity.
Many caregivers do not have the luxury of moving into their
roles along a gradual learning curve. To the contrary, many
are thrust into this role with no notice. Whether it is the
sudden heart attack, stroke, diagnosis of a cognitive disorder
etc., many caregivers begin their journey in the wake of a
traumatic event to a loved one that leaves them reeling and
experiencing many of the symptoms of PTSD to include:
Unwanted upsetting memories
Nightmares
Flashbacks
Emotional distress after exposure to traumatic reminders
Physical reactivity after exposure to traumatic reminder
The unofficial diagnosis for these folks is best described
as post traumatic caregiving, or PTCG for short. PTCG can
be thought of as a precursor to PTSD, having the added
dimensions that the triggering event has happened to a
loved one and often involves a cascade of critical moments.
Additionally, the random nature of the next crisis—known
as “what now?” moments—and the challenge of having
to juggle multiple demands sets PTCG apart from other
psychological syndromes.
22 TODAY’S CAREGIVER MAGAZINE • CAREGIVER.COM
/CAREGIVER.COM