I, Too, Am Navigating the Path of a Neurodivergent Caregiver
Raising Ona
As a mother to a brain-injured child, my journey led me through a maze of methods, all driven by an insatiable thirst to understand my daughter's situation. But it was my pursuit of a master’s in Neuroscience that illuminated the vital insight I had yet to uncover.
As a result, a profound shift in perspective led me full circle, unveiling the unparalleled expertise caregivers inherently possess— a game-changing force capable of reshaping the narrative of care.
THE data
When it comes to caregiver health, it's become an alarming yet often unspoken crisis. Shockingly, 20 percent of family caregivers grapple with mental disorders, such as anxiety and depression. To provide some context, this is double the rate of disorders reported in the general population.
Caregivers are among the most-stressed individuals in the country, according to Stress in America, an annual report of the American Psychological Association. Caregivers report higher levels of stress, poorer health and a greater tendency to engage in unhealthy behaviors to alleviate that stress than the population at large.
More than one in five Americans today are caregivers, providing care and support to an adult or child with special need.
We Need To Take Well-Being Seriously.
all-too silent health crisisWITHOUT SOLUTIONS, THINGS WILL GET WORSEWhen our loved one’s face brain injuries or neurodivergence, our caregiving journey takes on a deeper, more intense dimension. Personally experiencing this path has ignited a profound admiration for the caregiving community. It inspired me to delve into available data on their lifestyle and overall well-being.
Conventional lifestyle models overlook the unique needs of neurodiverse individuals, effectively marginalizing both them and their caregivers. Unintentional discrimination and societal bias persist, keeping stereotypes alive and reinforcing negative views. This, in turn, makes it hard for different groups to get along and causes personal and interpersonal problems.
The Problem
Why it Matters
The resources accessible to support these caregivers tend to focus on palliative measures, leaving them to navigate daily hardships and social isolation. Over time, this can lead to heightened adversity and stress, placing these caregivers at a greater risk of developing chronic stress-related illnesses, particularly mental health conditions.
According to the World Health Organization, by 2030, mental illness is projected to become the primary global health burden. This troubling trend has persisted since 1996. As our community of caregivers is at the forefront of this trend, developing well-being solutions tailored to their needs promises to enhance their outcomes and holds the potential to unlock broader societal solutions.
