Chronic Fatigue's Relationship to Anxiety? (Plus background info - TMI?]

[George_K]

Hi. I've visited the BeyondBlue website numerous times over the years but never poked my nose into the forums - I don't think I knew they existed. Does anyone here know where I can find information about chronic fatigue and its relationship with anxiety, or other such difficulties?

I've been battling CF for years but not been able to identify a cause - GPs haven't found any physical reason despite tests. I did an Enhanced Primary Care plan and have an appointment to see a psychologist later this year but it feels like a really long wait, and I'm not sure it'll help. A decade or so ago I battled tension - something I assumed to be stress, but now suspect was anxiety - there's history in the family. I tried some SSRI but had an adverse reaction and spiraled into major depression. After getting through that I spent a couple of years overseas. A year after returning I was struck by CF and battled that since. Recently (as in only a few months ago) I discovered I was diagnosed with ADD as a child. Might any of this cause or compound chronic fatigue?

I started an Excel spreadsheet in 2018 to track sleep stats. I need to improve my schedule but even good periods don't cure the tiredness and fatigue. Walking\exercise is supposed to be good for health but I struggle with exhaustion - I pushed things up to vaguely normal back in September, crashed, and now struggle to do half that. Since the suggestion (whose I forget) that anxiety\ADHD\OCD\whatever could be a contributing factor I've been trying to note tension levels - 1 if it's mild (which is my norm), 2 it it's moderate and\or I have mild abdominal\chest discomfort, and a 3 for when things are painful - thankfully not yet occurred. Yesterday seemed like straight 2's but usually I only get a 2 for several hours, and sometimes have a break between days. No direct correlations, though it's starting to seem like any pressure causes a 2, even needing to do household chores or think about Centrelink obligations. I can't see any direct triggers but it seems like the tension is getting more constant.

Sorry if this is offtopic. I'm getting frustrated and figured while this forum is a longshot someone might be able to suggest something useful. Officially I'm semi-healthy and supposed to be working but am not up to that. I don't know what's wrong with my health, can't see direct correlations between things, but without concrete evidence I'm somewhat up a creek without a paddle. Any suggestions?

[JaneBl]

Hi George,

I can relate. I do not have CFS but I do have lupus, which has many overlapping symptoms with CFS, including relentless and debilitating fatigue. Sleep does not make it any better, although a lack of sleep makes it decidedly worse.

There is definitely a connection between chronic illness, such as CFS and lupus, and mental health issues such as depression and anxiety. Chronic pain, in aprticular, is linked to depression. Having a chronic illness which does not get better, or which may even get worse, is definitely a cause of anxiety.

Seeing doctors, getting tests done, constant self-monitoring and policing of symptoms, is all very anxiety-provoking. It makes sense that you have been experiencing anxiety.

I have found personally that I feel better when I take action. (And I do not mean exercise. I am personally against it!) What I mean is I go and see my doctor when I am feeling bad. I try different medications to see if anything makes a difference. I get tested when the illness flares up and I go and see specialists when my doctor is out of ideas. And I definitely reach out when feeling low or worried.

Which you have done by posting your thread.

I do not know if any of this helps. But I thought you would like to know you are not alone.

Warm regards,

Jane.