I Gave Up My PR Career To Care For Mum - Despite Battling Depression & Burnout

Nadia Daeng quit her job at a global PR and sports marketing agency in 2019 to become a full-time caregiver for her mother who’d had a stroke. She was also caring for her sister who is intellectually disabled.

Nadia was grappling with clinical depression, burn-out and the stress her caregiving duties were putting on her relationship with fiance Wayne (they were in couples therapy), when being filmed for the documentary Altered Lives in 2021. Her mental state was a “4 out of 10”.

But when CNA Insider caught up with her in February 2022 after the series aired, she was feeling less alone, and an “8 out of 10”. It was thanks to support groups like Caregivers Alliance Limited; the experience of being able to share about her problems in the documentary; and encouraging messages from viewers. Her message to all caregivers? “You are not alone. You can ask for help.”

00:00 Why Nadia chose to be a full-time caregiver instead of hiring a maid
02:10 Battling loneliness, and the struggle to find time for herself
03:11 Plans for marriage have been put off
05:10 Dealing with mum’s emotional breakdown
06:21 Nadia speaking to her sister who had been readmitted to the Institute of Mental Health
07:37 4 months later: Where are Nadia & mum now?
11:09 How to get help if you have caregiver burnout

Watch the full episodes of Altered Lives:    • Altered Lives | Full Episodes  
The documentary tracks the lives of 4 people battling loneliness in 4 Asian countries.

Also watch:
A Dementia Caregiver's Dilemma: A Love-Hate But Ultimately Love Story    • A Dementia Caregiver's Dilemma: A Love-Hat...  
My Grandpa Has Dementia: When Caregivers Need Help    • My Grandpa Has Dementia: When Caregivers N...  
Caring For My Son With Depression & Asperger's
   • Caring For My Son With Depression & Asperg...  

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