Unexplained illness, fatigue and headaches...but the tests say everything is normal

[Huwa]

Hi,

I am sorry if someone has already posted this same question.
Over the past 6-8 months, I can feel something is wrong with me, but frustrating thing is I can't figure out what.
I get stressed and anxious about small things, that are simple situations. I have been falling sick very very frequently (average of once per 2 weeks) and in the last 4 months have been on antibiotics thrice.
I have had my blood tests to check for low immunity or some deficiency, but blood reports show everything is normal.
I feel tired most of the times when at work, even though I have got good 7-8 hours of sleep, but was usually fine over weekends. But over the last 3 days, I am feeling tired even in the mornings and on weekend. I am still sleeping well in terms of time, 7-8 hours, but I wake up groggy and tired. Last 3 days I am having several headache too.

I don't think I am depressed, because I there are a lot of times and moments I am happy. Less of those when I am unwell or feeling super tired. I also have NO suicidal thoughts.

It is getting very frustrating and that is now becoming a vicious cycle. Frustration leads feeling more tired and headache which leads to more frustration.

Has anyone gone through the same? Can anyone help me with what is wrong with me?

Any direction is appreciated.

Thanks

[Doolhof]

Hi Huwa,

It does sound like you are trying to find the answer as to why you are so tired. Have you asked your Dr about the possibility of you having depression or anxiety? It can affect everyone differently. Not everyone with depression feels suicidal.

You could Google symptoms of depression and see if anything relates to you. I do this, then take the information I have found to the Dr. I believe it is always beneficial to seek proper medical advice and not believe everything that is on the Net.

Are there things that you enjoy doing? Could you try to do more pleasing and positive things?

I find that when I think of the unhelpful thoughts and feelings, then I just make them worse and my mind keeps going over and over the same thing.

If you continue to feel tired and ill, it is certainly worth going back to the Dr to see if they can suggest anything else. If they suggest it is a mental health condition, if yo are able, it may be advisable to see assistance with that.

Hope you find the assistance you need right now.

Cheers from Dools

[Blusky]

Hi Huwa,

Thank for sharing.

I am a bubbly optimistic person who suffers from aniexty and depression, go figure right?!

A lot of people make the assumption that I am happy, and mostly I am, then sometimes I go through a phase where I am a complete mess, like at the moment.

In my experience and observations, depression and anxiety comes in all different shapes and forms, there are some similarities however you just never know how it's going to show up individually.

Its worth seeking professional advice, my experience some GP's still need promoting to look at my mental health, not just physical.

In the meantime remember to find something that makes you happy each day, even if it's small ( I've discovered that I like long walks and baking).

Write down the things that are stressing you out ( even one word). Someone once told me that by writting our thoughts down somehow tells the brain to stop holding on to these thoughts which in return gives some relief. So far it's worked for me.

I hope this helps.

Take care.

[BumbleBumble]

Hi Huwa,

Thanks for sharing your thoughts and questions here. Lethargy you described can be caused by many things with depression being one of them. You mentioned still being able to experience moments of happiness. Do you still look forward to engaging in your hobbies? Have you begun to withdraw from these activities threw lack of interest?

Seeing your GP is excellent to help narrow down the cause however it sounds as though these tests have all come back negative. Have you thought about asking your GP to refer to you to a psychiatrist? A psychiatric review can be accessed both through the public and private system. With the private system, you can choose who reviews you while in the public system one is allocated to you. The public system is free while the private system is not. There are other differences but for simplicity sake, I will leave it there.

That cycle of frustration, lack of motivation, and energy can worsen your mood and even feed into a depressive episode worsening motivation and energy. Have you thought about accessing clinical psychology for talk therapy to address this negative cycle? Your GP can refer you through the better access program.

Take care