Parents of people with disabilities are being urged to prioritise their own mental wellbeing, with a leading Bahrain counsellor warning that caregivers must look after themselves to continue supporting their loved ones.
Psychological and family counselling consultant Dr Sameera Albastaki made the remarks at the Bahrain Association for Parents and Friends of the Disabled (BAPF) headquarters in Manama, where she recently delivered a presentation on the emotional and practical pressures faced by caregivers in the kingdom.
Parents, family members and caregivers often juggle a wide range of responsibilities, from medical and rehabilitation appointments and education to managing challenging behaviours and daily needs, while also worrying about their loved one’s future, independence and quality of life.
The weight of these responsibilities can build over time, leading to exhaustion and making it important for caregivers to recognise when normal stress begins to take a more serious toll.
“Stress may be temporary and normal with support, but when it becomes persistent and affects sleep, mood, relationships or work, we need to stop and pay attention,” Dr Albastaki warned.
“The goal is not to be strong all the time, but to recognise when we need to restore balance.”
She said psychological exhaustion can manifest in several ways, including persistent tiredness, irritability, feeling unable to continue, losing enjoyment or interest in activities that were once pleasurable, withdrawing from family and friends, difficulty concentrating and forgetfulness, disrupted sleep or appetite and repeated feelings of guilt.
Dr Albastaki highlighted that the pressures of caregiving can become particularly difficult when children with disabilities display challenging behaviours.
Young people with special needs may display them for a range of reasons, particularly when they have difficulty communicating their needs, emotions or discomfort.
Frustration can build when a child is unable to express that they are hungry, in pain, overwhelmed or upset.
Some children may also have difficulty processing information, coping with sensory stimulation or adapting to changes in routine, which can lead to distress and behaviours such as crying, shouting, withdrawal or a refusal to co-operate.
For caregivers, remaining calm in these situations can be difficult, but Dr Albastaki stressed the importance of giving themselves space when needed. “It is important to lower your voice instead of raising it, and avoid arguing during the peak of emotion,” she said, adding that once everyone has calmed down, caregivers can talk about what happened and address the behaviour.
Dr Albastaki encouraged parents to develop their own ‘psychological first-aid kit’ – a simple set of resources and strategies they can turn to during stressful moments.
“Figure out a person you can contact when you need support, a place you can calm down, a short activity that helps you relax, a phrase you can remind yourself during stressful moments and an organisation or professional you can turn to when needed,” she said, adding that taking care of themselves is an important part of being able to continue caring for others, and they should make time to rest daily, have a routine, healthy eating and physical activity, while also setting aside time away from caregiving responsibilities.
Dr Albastaki also urged families not to feel embarrassed about seeking help.
“Reaching out for support should be viewed as a responsible step rather than a failure,” she explained. “Burnout is not a character weakness, and early intervention is better than waiting until things reach a crisis point.”
The aim, she added, is not to achieve perfection, but to ensure caregivers have the support and resources they need to continue being there for their families.
“We do not need to be perfect, we need to be present and ask for support when we need it,” she stressed.
According to previously published GDN statistics, Bahrain is home to 3,990 individuals with physical disabilities, 2,210 with hearing impairments, 1,302 with visual impairments, 5,332 with mental and psychological disabilities and 911 people living with multiple disabilities.
julia@gdnmedia.bh
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