Managing Stress for Angelman Syndrome Caregivers

Caring for a child with Angelman syndrome can be stressful for parents and caregivers, which can impact their health, causing headaches, insomnia, anxiety, muscle cramps, and other symptoms.

If you think that stress is the cause of your symptoms, or if you’re unable to manage your stress, talk to your doctor about treatment options.

Here are some tips for managing stress:

Get enough sleep

When caring for a child with special needs, getting enough sleep (seven to nine hours) may be difficult. Discuss a staggered sleep schedule with your partner or other family members so that you can get at least a couple of nights of uninterrupted sleep each week.

Exercise regularly

Regular exercise can help reduce stress, so set aside time every day or a few days a week to exercise. Many people find that exercise based on focused relaxation, such as yoga or tai chi helps to reduce stress.

Practice meditation or mindfulness

Techniques such as meditation or mindfulness can be relaxing and help reduce stress. These structured exercises can help you to organize your thoughts and control your responses to stressful circumstances.

Stay connected with friends and family

It can feel like no one else understands what you’re going through as a parent or caregiver of a child with special needs. To deal with feelings of isolation, reach out regularly to friends and family. Call friends to exercise together, or meet for coffee whenever possible. Your friends and family want to stay connected too, so build a support network.

Join a support group

Connect with other families going through similar experiences with their children, and find ways to help and support each other.

Last updated: Sept. 17, 2019

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Angelman Syndrome News is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.