10 Signs of Caregiver Burnout (and Where to Get Help)

Nearly 1 in 4 people in the U.S. are family caregivers, according to a 2025 report. Many people these days are caring for an older adult with a chronic health condition — like Alzheimer’s or mobility limitations. But they may also be a partner, child, or younger loved one recovering from an illness or injury. 

Caregiving can be a rewarding and fulfilling experience for families. A research survey showed that more than half of caregivers feel that it provides a sense of purpose or meaning in life. But even if you find it meaningful, caregiving still takes a mental, physical, and emotional toll. And this can lead to what’s known as “caregiver burnout.”

Here, we’ll dig deeper into what caregiver burnout is, ways to cope, and where to turn for help. 

What is caregiver burnout?

Caregiver burnout happens when someone reaches a state of mental, physical, and/or emotional fatigue related to their duties in caring for someone else. 

Many caregivers say they feel alone, stressed, frustrated, or exhausted by their role. And they describe their own health as fair to poor because of it. This is what caregiving experts call caregiver burnout or caregiver stress.

If you’re experiencing caregiver burnout, it may be harder to care for your loved one. But you may also struggle to manage important aspects of your own life. Burnout affects your overall health and well-being in several ways. 

What are the signs and symptoms of caregiver burnout?

Signs of caregiver burnout include:

1. Anger: experiencing outbursts directed at your loved one or others around you

2. Anxiety: overwhelming thoughts about the future and other daily concerns like finances

3. Appetite changes: eating less or more than usual and losing or gaining weight

4. Denial: believing your loved one will get better, even when they’ve been diagnosed with a progressive illness like Alzheimer’s disease

5. Hopelessness: feeling helpless, hopeless, or depressed most of the time

6. Insomnia: being unable to fall asleep, stay asleep, or get restful sleep

7. Isolation: feeling alone, as if other family members and friends have left you to fend for yourself 

8. Lack of interest: pulling away from activities you once enjoyed and not trying new things

9. Physical exhaustion: feeling too tired to get out of bed or to get through the day

10. Substance use: drinking too much alcohol or misusing drugs or medications to cope

Causes of caregiver burnout

There are several different reasons you may experience burnout as a caregiver. Common causes of caregiver burnout include:

• Task burden: Caregivers usually provide assistance with activities of daily living. This can include help with feeding, dressing, bathing, and toileting. Caregivers might also do their laundry, clean their home, and prepare meals. Juggling these tasks while coordinating things like healthcare visits and haircuts can be overwhelming.

• Task complexity: Caregivers often handle medical tasks like monitoring vital signs or administering medications. Learning how to perform these types of activities can cause additional stress. 

• Balancing working with caregiving: Most caregivers find it hard to manage their own job and career while also caregiving. They often have to take extra time off, shift to part-time, change jobs, or turn down promotions because of it.

• Financial stress: Taking care of another person can be costly, on top of the impact on reduced work capacity. The resulting financial strain — or possibly debt — can feel overwhelming, adding to feelings of exhaustion and burnout.

• Long-term care: Providing care around the clock for weeks or even years can be especially draining. Finding time to take care of yourself and others in their family can feel impossible.

EXPERT PICKS: WHAT TO READ NEXT

• Need ways to reduce stress while caregiving? We offer tips on how to reduce caregiver stress and burnout.

• What’s respite care? Learn more about how you can get relief from your caregiving duties — and how to pay for it.

• Can you get paid as a caregiver? Check to see if you qualify for programs that compensate individuals who serve as caregivers for family members.

Who is at risk for caregiver burnout?

Anyone who’s a caregiver is at risk of burnout. But there are some other factors that can increase that risk.

You’re more likely to develop caregiver depression if you:

• Care for your spouse

• Are an older caregiver

• Are female

• Provide care for a long period of time

• Provide a high level of care, like for someone who needs constant supervision

• Share a residence with the person you take care of

Read more like this

Explore these related articles, suggested for readers like you.

Self-Care for Caregivers: Tips on How to Reduce Caregiver Stress and Burnout

It’s Hard to Be a Caregiver — Therapy May Help With the Mental Load

View more

You’re also more likely to develop burnout if the person you care for has:

• Dementia

• Behavior problems

• Difficulty doing everyday activities like taking a shower or going to the bathroom

Caregivers are emotionally invested in their loved one’s care, which can be draining. And caregiving can complicate your relationship. For example, it may be difficult to see yourself as both a caregiver and a person’s child, spouse, or parent. 

Also, you may be in the “sandwich generation” — those in the middle of two generations who take care of an older parent as well as their own children. It’s easy for caregiving to lead to burnout if you don’t have the right resources, enough support, or the time to take care of your needs.

How to prevent and cope with caregiver burnout

Caregiving experts say that eating well, exercising, and getting enough sleep are critical to your health and well-being. But those are just the basics. 

Here are more ways you can care for yourself to reduce or prevent caregiver burnout.

1. Bring in backup support

Find a relative or friend to take over your caregiving responsibilities for a few hours or days so you can take time off. Consider looking into respite care services. They can help you identify other care options like an adult day care or a home health assistant.

2. Check in with your healthcare team

It’s really important to still prioritize your own health checkups and appointments — especially if you’re experiencing caregiver burnout. Talk to your primary care provider if you have symptoms of caregiver burnout. The simple act of acknowledging these challenges can be a powerful first step. They may be able to provide tips, refer you to a mental healthcare professional, or suggest treatments if you’re also struggling with depression, anxiety, or insomnia.

3. Talk about it

Connecting with others who understand what you’re going through can go a long way. Find a mental healthcare professional, like a therapist or counselor, or join a caregiver support group. Sharing your experience and frustrations may help you sort through the challenges you’re facing and relieve stress. You may also learn new ways to cope with burnout and identify additional resources. 

4. Take time to enjoy your hobbies

Make plans for activities that feel relaxing or bring you joy — like going for a walk, gardening, or curling up with a good book. Recharging your own battery can improve both you and your loved one’s experience. Taking the time to invest in yourself may give you more energy to share with others.

5. Spend time socializing

Spending time with others beyond your caregiving responsibilities is another way to recharge. If leaving the house is challenging, invite loved ones over for coffee or a movie night.

6. Look into paid time off or family leave

If you have benefits through your job, you can consider using some of your paid time off to help balance your stress load. If you’re financially able to consider taking a longer break from your job, you also may be eligible for unpaid time off under the Family Leave and Medical Act (FMLA). And some people even qualify to get paid for their caregiving duties.

7. Acknowledge your limitations

It can be hard to predict the emotional and physical toll of caregiving. And you may have started your caregiving journey hoping you could do it all. But it’s challenging to care for yourself and your loved one while dealing with all the emotions that come with caregiving. It’s OK to not meet all of these weighty expectations. You deserve to ask for help.

What resources are available for caregivers?

Caregiving may seem lonely at times, but you’re not alone. Organizations across the country can help you on your caregiving journey. Many of these organizations provide tips and resources, including connections to local services: 

• Aging in Place

• Alzheimer’s Association

• ARCH National Respite Center

• Caregiver Action Network

• Eldercare Locator

• Family Caregiver Alliance

• National Alliance for Caregiving

• Well Spouse Association

Frequently asked questions

Why trust our experts?

Written by:

Cherilyn Davis, MD

Cherilyn Davis, MD, is a board-certified pediatrician in NYC. She's held local and national roles at the American Medical Women's Association, including board member of the physician division and physician chair of social media.

Edited by:

Katie E. Golden, MD

Katie E. Golden, MD, is a board-certified emergency medicine physician and a medical editor at GoodRx.

Our editorial standards

Meet our experts