The Hidden Cost of Caring: Why Emotional Balance Matters in Mental Health Support

Caring for a loved one facing mental illness or cognitive decline is one of the most profound expressions of love - yet it often comes with an unseen emotional toll.

According to clinicians at Thrive Wellbeing Centre, the psychological impact on caregivers remains one of the least discussed aspects of mental health, despite global data showing that nearly one in three caregivers (31.7%) experience significant emotional burden, and this number rises to over 60% in low-resource regions (Mental Health Foundation, 2023; Gebeyehu et al., 2024).

“Empathy - the very force that draws us close - can also deplete us if left unchecked,” says Dr. Ash Shishodia, Consultant Psychiatrist and Medical Director at Thrive Wellbeing Centre. “Sustainable caregiving demands a conscious shift from emotional over-involvement to compassion with boundaries.”

Dr. Shishodia explains that up to 45% of caregivers report clinically significant psychological distress, while 15–37% develop symptoms of post-traumatic stress (Frontiers in Psychiatry, 2021). “Self-care, social connection, and rest are not luxuries,” he adds. “They are lifelines.”

Research shows that caregivers who receive structured psychoeducation can experience up to a 40% reduction in distress, while involving professionals, peer groups, and community services can distribute the emotional load and strengthen recovery outcomes. “Empathy needs infrastructure,” notes Dr. Shishodia. “When caregivers thrive, patients recover better, and relapse rates drop.”

Christi Gadd, Clinical Psychologist & Neuropsychologist at Thrive Wellbeing Centre, highlights the emotional demands faced by those supporting individuals with mental health or neurocognitive conditions:

“Sustained care without emotional balance can quietly drain even the most devoted individuals. Up to 60% of informal caregivers experience symptoms of anxiety or depression, while nearly half report chronic fatigue and disrupted sleep (WHO, 2023).”

Gadd points to Emma Heming Willis, wife of actor Bruce Willis, as an inspiring example of a caregiver using her voice to raise awareness following her husband’s frontotemporal dementia diagnosis. In her 2024 book The Unexpected Journey: Finding Strength, Hope and You on the Caregiving Path, Heming Willis writes:

“When we are not looking after ourselves, we are no good to the people we love.”

Her story, Gadd explains, mirrors what Thrive clinicians see daily - that love alone cannot sustain caregiving. “Caregivers often delay their own rest and emotional support out of guilt,” she says. “But to care for your person, you must first care for yourself because without you, none of this works.”

Gadd shares three guiding principles from her clinical experience:

Self-care is not selfish. Small acts like mindful breaks, journaling, or therapy help prevent compassion fatigue.

Shift from fixing to accompanying. True support means presence, not perfection - a mindset that preserves emotional energy.

Build your network. Peer groups, respite care, and therapy turn isolation into empowerment.

For anyone navigating caregiving, Thrive Wellbeing Centre provides educational content and professional support for families, including the podcast Minds in Transition: Dementia and Other Neurocognitive Disorders, featuring Dr. Ash Shishodia and Christi Gadd - available now on the Thrive With Us YouTube channel.

For additional information and resources, please visit www.thrive.ae