Serious fatigue

[PanicButton]

Hi all,

I am trying to get this down although even moving fingers on the key board feels like an effort. I am just constantly so tired. More than tired. I am physically and mentally exhausted.

I have been suffering stress and anxiety for most of this year and since a couple of months I feel I have just reached my limit. I wake up, I am so tired it is hard to get up from the bed. I eat breakfast and go out for a walk and do not feel any better. I try to work and cannot concentrate, feel like falling a sleep. I would like to exercise but even the thought of it makes me tired. I try to stay active and eat healthy but it is not helping. I try to sleep but keep waking up in the middle of the night, have difficulties falling a sleep.

I have rapid heart rate and shallow breathing. I try to do mindfulness and calm myself down but it helps only sometimes, other times it just makes me more restless and irritated.

I have been suffering from a pretty bad burnout + panic disorder. But have eased my work to 40% of the normal. I take free evenings/weekends. I try to be gentle and understanding for myself. But I am just so TIRED of being TIRED all the time.

Anyone experiencing anything similar? What to do?

I feel like every time the need for rest is more and it can be weeks that I struggle to get up from the bed and just survive. Sometimes feels like it would be easier to give up, but I want to get better. Just do not know how? Any help?

[Sophie_M]

Hi PanicButton,

Reaching out here like you have is a great place to start. Thank you for showing such bravery in doing so despite your exhaustion. We know it isn't easy but it is so important that you have. Our wonderful, welcoming online forums community provide a safe, non-judgmental place where users give and receive support to one another based on their own experiences with mental health. We're here to provide you with as much support, advice, understanding and conversation as you need.

While the peer support offered here is often quick, it is not immediate. If you feel like you need support right now then please reach out to the mental health professionals at our Support Service on 1300 22 4636 for brief counselling, support and referrals. They are available by phone 24/7, by email (replies within 24 hours) or webchat from 1pm to midnight AEDT every day via: https://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/get-immediate-support

Please keep us updated on your journey whenever you feel up to it.

[Gambit87]

Hi PanicButton,

I can relate, especially about being tired about being tired all the time.

For the longest time I felt so tired, exhausted and drained because I was constantly fighting my anxiety and depression in my head without any help. Also, I rarely took breaks from work. Everyday I was fighting my mind, pushing myself to go to work feeling like a robot with so much anxious energy.

Seek help, talking to a psychologist has helped me break this vicious cycle.

Take some time off! My psychologist recommended I take 2 weeks off because of the burnout. I did and although I had the feelings I should have been working, it helped me reset. I planned an activity each day (zoo, aquarium, a night photography session, bike ride etc) and just getting out there and 'living' really helped me feel less tired and drained. It has even helped me sleep better at night and feel more refreshed (like I actually slept) when waking up. Like you, my sleep patterns where all over the place and I would constantly wake up and in the mornings it felt like I didn't sleep at all.

Forgive yourself and self care - This is important. I know, its easier said than done.

Its hard work, but you can get through this!

[Guest_4643]

Hi PanicButton, welcome.

Maybe you could have Chronic Fatigue, or Insomnia. Of course I'm not a Medical Professional though so it may be best to seek medical advice. I struggle with this myself, well the Insomnia anyway.

- Tayla

[PanicButton]

Hi Sophie, Gambit and Tayla, thank you for taking the time to reply. It really means a lot.

I really do not feel this tired ALL the time but there are periods that it kicks in and feels impossible to shake it off.

Today I woke up, feeling really similar to yesterday. The guilt, frustration and anger rising from the fatigue is strong. But coming here and reading all your comments reminded me, I am not alone and it is okay to pause and take time for myself.

I am in a job that does not really allow long breaks and the deadline is always close-by, yet far away. Constant stress, worry, too much to do and too little time. Having family and health concerns on top of it.

I know I need a break and a holiday, but also feel I have not done enough to deserve them. I have doctor and psychiatrist that help me navigate through, but sometimes I feel they do not really understand the depth of my problems. It is hard to turn up and say, I am too exhausted to help myself. But I have done so. Still, I feel so alone and unseen.

Thank you for providing a safe space to say that aloud. I will be better. I always find that last bit of strenght in the end.

[Alecia]

Hello, i also do suffer from Mental Fatigue, due to Domestic Violence. I also have head Trauma. I feel exhausted everyday , I see various supports but the feeling is tired but my body wants to burn energy, but my mind is Tired. I have a different mind set, then what I had, 9 Years ago. Due to this. I find every day tasks very hard todo. I’m just writing because I feel I can relate. I spoke to a councillor about this. And they said to take an hour of your day every day todo something easing for you. Which definitely helps. 
Thankyou 

[mmMekitty]

Hello Alecia

Welcome to the forums.

I"m glad you've found something that helps you through what sounds to be difficult days of mental fatigue alongside the energy your body has to burn.

I don't have much to offer you, given your circumstances, except I'd keep talking to the counsellor, maybe finding out if there are other therapies which may help you... I just don't know.

I do want to welcome you, though, because this discussion was last posted to 3 years ago, so I wanted to be sure someone came by to welcome you.

I mean, I hope we will hear from PanicButton, but, since it's been quite a while, we might not. Perhaps, you'd like to begin your own discussion about things going on in your life?

Hugzies

mmMekitty

[Richju]

Dearest PanicButton,

I'm so sorry to hear of your constant fatigue, especially as you're trying so hard to overcome it.

Yes I can empathise! During my menopause I was doing a highly stressful job. I'd sleep all weekend and on weekdays I'd have breakfast, go to work, buy a takeaway, eat it and go to bed. BURNOUT! I had experienced it before. I should think that, like me, you are a highly concientious and hard worker.

Eventually I left my job - I had to and suffered much financial difficulty afterwards.

I wonder if you can go on disability support pension for chronic fatigue syndrome? This may be something you could discuss with your doctor.

Dearest PanicButton I send you all the love and warmth I have to give and I wish I could help you more.

Please continue to post. We are here for you.

Richju xxxxxxxxx

[lostvibes]

I'm so sorry to hear you're struggling, I'm in exactly the same boat. Constantly fatigued, almost like even my bones are tired. I have a stressful job, live alone, single mum to an energetic dog, and financially support a parent; sometimes it all seems too much. All I have energy for (albeit not much at all), is managing (and sometimes NOT managing, my work-day), then its microwave dinner on my lap and bed. No energy for friends or family. Staring at the wall or mindlessly watch tv. Makes me feel like a failure, as the Drs say I'm not 'sick' - just burned out, from well, life. All the things I've read and advice I've seen says... get a support network, friends, family, professionals, even if just to listen. But that takes energy (and courage too). I don't have much of either. Sounds like that might be tough for you too? So I totally empathise with you... I have a lot of sympathy for what you're going through. I'm so sorry.

One thing they have all said - is to be gentle and kind to yourself, try and not judge yourself for feeling flat and fatigued, NO ONE would ever choose to feel this way, it's not your fault. Surviving through this takes enormous courage and energy, and you're trying so hard to feel better... try and be kind and compassionate to yourself. I've been finding, sometimes the self-judgement (of feeling like I'm failing) is the most exhausting thing of all. This won't be a forever thing, we'll get through it...

One thing that actually does help me - esp when the heart is racing and I feel panicked - is to (don't laugh) literally jump up and down on the spot (gently at first, even if just on your toes), and swing my arms across my body (right around both sides) and shake my whole body like a bad dancer when no-ones watching, even if only for 30 seconds - I know it sounds bonkers and like it takes energy you don't have - but for me it helps me move the negative energy / panic out of my body on those days I just feel so low, and is silly enough to make me smile if only for a moment. (google Somatic Therapy if you want to see other ways to help when in those panic moments).

For me that, and (very loud) music on my headphones, and sunshine on my face whenever I can manage it really helps.... I hope this helps you too, and you feel better soon.

[lostvibes]

Makes me sad to hear you say you don't deserve a break or a holiday! everyone deserves time to heal and find energy, life is hard, busy, exhausting, sounds like you have a lot on your plate. Agree with the other comment, be kind and gentle to yourself, the way I bet you are already to your family and friends. You deserve the same compassion... hope you get some rest.