A study by Curaleaf Clinic has found that seven out of 10 adults with a loved one living with a chronic health condition say it has impacted their own mental health. The research discovered that those in caregiving roles often feel isolated and anxious, yet have never discussed with their loved one how the condition affects them.
Guilt and anxiety among supporters
The study revealed that 73% of people with a friend or family member suffering from chronic health problems feel guilty watching them struggle. Of the 1,000 adults surveyed, 62% said they would take on their loved one's pain and symptoms 'in a heartbeat' to spare them.
However, many also confessed that their support role has affected their own wellbeing. Two in five (40%) said they have experienced anxiety, while 16% reported feelings of isolation.
Practical and emotional burden
Nearly half (46%) said supporting their loved one has encroached on their personal time. Others said it has affected their sleep (41%) and social life (37%). Moreover, 19% admitted the pressure of providing daily support has put a strain on their relationships.
The research found emotional support is the single biggest thing caregivers provide (64%). However, many also take on the shopping (57%), household chores (53%) and driving to appointments (50%). On average, this amounts to nearly eight hours a week, rising to 11 and a half for those aged 55-64. Meanwhile, 19% spend 24 hours or more a week offering some form of support.
Search for treatments
Dr Simon Erridge, director of research at Curaleaf Clinic, said: "Chronic illness rarely stays within the boundaries of a single diagnosis. The people around a patient - partners, parents, friends - often carry a significant emotional and practical burden that isn't widely recognised."
He added: "That burden often pushes families to keep searching long after conventional treatments have been exhausted. But it's often loved ones who often end up helping a patient find their way to a specialist clinic."
For 16%, searching for new treatment options is part of their role as a caregiver. More than half (51%) say they have researched or discovered a treatment option through their own efforts, rather than through a formal referral.
As a result, 64% said their loved one has tried two or more treatments, but 70% of those haven't yet found something that adequately manages their condition. However, despite spending time searching for alternative treatments, the research carried out via OnePoll found many were unaware medical cannabis is a legal medication in the UK.
A personal case
This is something 43-year-old Mat Booth says has helped his wife, Sancharie, manage her symptoms. Sancharie Booth, 39, suffers from spasms at night and in the morning which leave her in severe pain. She also experiences 'incredibly intense' and 'overwhelming' womb pain several times a month.
Mat said that watching his wife live in pain - and struggle to rest - left him feeling helpless. "There's not much you can do to fix it," he said.
Sancharie started using medical cannabis to help relieve her symptoms and is now a Curaleaf Clinic patient. Since starting treatment, she said she is sleeping better and has more energy, adding it has given her a "great deal of relief". Mat added: "It's a real relief to see some of her key symptoms subside and to see her able to relax more."
