Has anyone ever lost interest in things you use to enjoy or were excited about because of caregiving?

You know that you’re in trouble when your depression turns into apathy. I got to where I didn’t feel much at all. I was simply running on autopilot.

It’s odd to find yourself completely numb to the outside world.

Sometimes caregivers become so isolated that they don’t appreciate that there is a huge world out there that they don’t even see.

I have. I will not bore people here with details again, but in my case it has totally sucked the life and joy out of me, so no, you are not alone.

FB, is your depression being treated?

Yessss...you’re definitely not alone. I understand what you’re feeling.
I’m so tired all the time that I don’t have the desire or the energy for the things I used to enjoy. Im going to look into getting some help.
Maybe it’s possible for you to do the same.
I truly wish you the best. Please take care of yourself.

Lost interest because there's really not enough time to be excite or enjoy things anymore. I recently began reading novels again, there had been 2.5 year hiatus from even than.

“ I isolated myself , did not keep in touch with people . Did not feel like going anywhere . I had nothing to add to conversation” (@Way). I feel the same way, plus I just about jump out of my skin when I get a text or call. I’m snappish because I’m so on edge. I feel like even if the burden were lifted tomorrow it would a long road back, or maybe I will never go back to the person I was before.
I also kind of resent the people who said call me anytime and then fell off the face of the earth. I really couldn’t use the help they were offering because they can’t do hands on with mom’s toileting issues. But just a text once in a while saying they’re thinking of me would be nice.

Yes, After a while . I isolated myself , did not keep in touch with people . Did not feel like going anywhere . I had nothing to add to conversation . Did not want to bore people with talking about caregiving .

I agree, I have changed. I feel trapped, although my two are in facilities, it keeps both me and my brother from moving somewhere else, or just becoming Florida Snowbirds.

The stress alone has changed me and I am no spring chicken either, age 76. My nasty mother is in her 99th year, no dementia, just not a nice person. Stepmother in MC, age 86 and can live for many years yet.

Never dreamed that this would be my "Golden Years"!

Our brains and Bodies are Under tremendous stress - The Cortisol levels are High that can Give us a Belly . I Know I started getting Panic attacks . I am sure I almost Had several Nervous breakdowns . Making decisions alone , Not Understanding certain behaviors . I was dealing with 3 people Plus a tenant . Now I am alone My Dad is in California and I am dealing with Our House and another condo owner and Paying a Lot of Bills and budgeting But I see a Light at the end of a tunnel and many Spring Projects coming Up . You Can learn to meditate - it is really helpful for the Brain . On Mondays Quiksilver Thomas Victor Carrol does a meditation at 2 Pm eastern time on Instagram and Its Free - Great Teacher and Famous surfer . You will heal from this .

I love travel, always loved the adventure. I was supposed to go to Ireland this week. I decided not to go because I just did not feel up to going because I am not in a good frame of mind. I’m just not happy these days and don’t feel like doing anything. I lost $700 but I just couldn’t do it.

I am still interested in my usual things, but constant worry and anxiety take the enjoyment away. My new PCP gave me an anxiety assessment, and I scored pretty high. I just tried the med last night, Buspar. I slept well, but not sure the med is workable for when I need to actually function. And I only took half of a 10mg tab!

While I did no hands on caregiving, I did take over all financial responsibilites, bill paying, etc. I was ill prepared to do such a thing and it was a steep learning curve. I felt very anxious, determined to do it well, while dealing also with the new diagnosis for my brother, who had all my life been my senior, my helpmate, my rock. It was a complete turn around for me to attempt to be his.
This made my anxiety just hit the top. Think of one of those circus games, where you are given a big mallet and you try to pound the little stomper so that the arrow climbs up and rings the bell. That bell was chiming for me all the time. My nervous energy was completely to the fore. I don't know, even four years after his death, whether it has ever returned to normal. I do know I am much more, now, aware of how easily I can become anxious.

As to whether this has caused me to take less delight in the things that delight me? No, not really, and perhaps the opposite is the case. I now look on the relief of reading, of gardening, or walking on the beach looking at rocks, of a good podcast or movie, a great take and bake pizza as real "godsends" (if you will for this non-believer). I treasure those things that can bring me relief from anxiety. I recognize more the beauty in life, the fragility, and am more than ever intent on not wasting, not recognizing my good luck in being alive NOW, in this my country.

Just my personal perspective, Faithful. I hope you will seek out joy. Make yourself journal perhaps? Decorate it with collage. Bring in what is good. Savor it. My crow tarot card today talked of "perspective". Of how to look at something. I have been looking at a bit of a spot of bother, myself, and have been doing the "oh woe is me" thing. But looked at another way, it is a spot of bother I hopefully found before it became a puddle, a pond, a deluge. And I have skilled and kind people on my side.
Try looking at all this as a learning experience. I think myself, having watched your journey, you have come a way! Right? Give yourself a pat on the back.

I think everyone here has felt exactly like you do. I know I certainly did.

My life was a living hell when I was living with my mother and being her caregiver. In fact, I was at a point where I had given up on myself and became a totally different person. Even less than a shell of the person I was. Now mind you I did caregiving as work for 25 years and it was well enough, but being back home and dealing with my mother who truly needed help and it wasn't her hypochondria and other mental illnesses, all but destroyed me.

I had isolated myself from my friends and family. Her negativity, instigating, gaslighting, verbal abuse, manipulation, berating and belitting on a daily basis stripped me bare of all the things that made me myself and I gave up.

I was able to drag myself out of that hole with the help of my ex-husband, my son, and a lot of hard work on my part. Everyone needs help though.

It’s called, ‘depression’ which can drain everything from us as caregivers. I was seriously depressed when I was a full time caregiver.

We can’t do this job alone. We need help, either from an agency or a facility.

I apologize if this is similar to a question I’ve already asked but sometimes I just to converse with those who understand.

Yes, definitely!

I went to a GFS house one day, she showed me something she made. I was so jealous, that other people can find time to do things for themselves and I can't. So I made a promise to myself to make that time.

Sometimes I stop for a while go backwards, kick myself and start again finding time for myself

Much of the time I don't even want to , until I push myself for a while. Then when I do I'm always glad I did. I think of it as part of my mental health. Last winter I taught myself how to knitt. Well I got one scarf done. But all it took was inexpensive knitting needles and yarn and YouTube.

So absolutely find something you enjoy, that is just for you, even a long bubble bath, even if you have no interest, do it anyways and see if the Interest comes back.
Good luck.