Art of Being You

Being a young caregiver to a family member who has a mental illness is difficult and really confusing. Questions of doubt and self-worth continually invade the mind of a child caregiver. And these questions continue into adulthood.

Young caregivers, including myself, are taught to respond to life with an anxious lens. Anxiety becomes a way of life, through lessons taught by parents. Children do not necessarily inherit the anxiety disorder, although it is possible. Either way, anxiety continues within the family creating a never-ending cycle.

This book outlines my personal story, research I found helpful, and guidance provided to me through studying scriptures. If you have similar experiences, I want you to know that you are not alone. My hope is this information will shed light on the effect being a child caregiver has on adults and provide a resource to help break the anxiety cycle.