Tiredness

[askignquestions]

I dont know exactly what I want to say here...bear with me.

 I'm back at work after taking a month off for anxiety, but I can only work (which is doing my PhD) for about 6 hours a day (any more and I get real depressed/anxious that night and the next day).  Then I go to the gym for an hour and go home to relax.  But I'm exhausted every day.  I've started noticing the physical symptoms of exhaustion too.  I remember when I used to stay up all night when I was doing my Masters, my chest would get sort of prickly or fluttery when I was up for too long.  Nevermind the mental confusion, not being able to make decisions, and not being able to read.

 All the mental stuff has been there since I got acutely sick, and now the physical is here too.  Is this normal?  I can go and do physical things almost on autopilot.  I'm slowly getting my mental abilities back, but this past week its like I hit a new phase.  I sleep normal hours, so I know that isn't it.  But I have noticed that when I want to sleep during the day, I can't.  Even falling asleep at night takes hours.  

I was just wondering if other people have dealt with exhaustion from anxiety or if this might be something more.

Valerie

[White_Rose]

Dear Valerie

Low iron is easy to fix. How did your consultation go today?

Anxiety can be devastating. I have had huge panic attacks and ended up in hospital on several occasions. But being able to control your breathing is a great asset. Congratulations on the first step.

Unfortunately, having depression and anxiety is like being on a roller coaster with its highs and lows. Learning to ride this thrill machine takes a lot of nerve and perseverance. But you are getting a collection of tools to manage this. And soon you will be able to get off the roller coaster at any time.

It will be great to hear how your doctor's appointment went. Is this a psychiatrist?

Mary

[askignquestions]

Hey,

The appointment went alright.  She works for Community Mental Health as a GP who specializes in psychiatry.  So neither a GP or a psychiatrist, but both at the same time.  She brought up something that always makes something strange happen to me.  Its related to an event that happened, and I dont want to think about it.  I kind of fade away when that topic is brought up.  My mind just goes real far away and its hard to come back to reality.  She asked me what was going on when it happened, but I couldn't explain it then.  Words get hard to find when that happens.  So I wrote her a note I will give her next week.

I'm just exhausted today.  I've been troubleshooting something in lab (I do Geoscience/chemistry) and its taking all my brainpower.  I had to leave at 2 today because I couldn't think.  I feel awful about not working, but I can't function.  I just sit in front of the computer.  Both my body and my mind are so exhausted that I can't think properly.  All I want to do is sleep, but I can't fall asleep easily.  I'll try to go in early tomorrow I guess...

Hope your day is going well

Valerie

[White_Rose]

Dear Valerie

Despite your tiredness you sound quite upbeat. Yes, I have experienced that vague-out on occasions. I have been told it is most disconcerting for the other person. Glad you have been able to write down your feelings and reasons. Sometimes it is so much easier to write than talk. Writing at least gives you the opportunity to edit  and polish your words.

When I was working I would suddenly feel like falling asleep. Try as I might I could not concentrate and only barely keep my eyes open. I used to go for a walk around the block which usually did the trick.

When it gets to can't work and can't sleep, try another activity. Depending on how tired you feel, walking is good. Perhaps go to bed with book. Nothing like concentrating one thing to put other things out of your mind and as a bonus you relax enough to fall asleep quite easily. Just be prepared to find yourself still cuddling your book in the morning.

It's good that you feel comfortable with the GP/psych. you really are getting your stuff together.

Mary