Overwhelmed and Exhausted

[wiilson13]

I've been seeing a psychologist for about a year now. This has helped me with a lot of my anxiety issues as I was having panic attacks frequently as I had developed social anxiety. I often faint when I panic and was in constant fear of humiliating myself in public as it had happened a few times is social settings like being out for dinner. I still get anxiety but not as bad anymore.

Lately I've just been feeling really down about myself. And some days (like today) I just feel so low and like every choice I have made is wrong. Recently I began a Master's Degree and had to quit my full time job so I could study. I hated my job and felt liberated when I left. But now I feel so down because I am having trouble finding a part time or casual job, and am very worried about not having any income. I have applied for centrelink, but that may take weeks to come into effect.

I'm really struggling to stay motivated through online study, and cannot focus. I can read a passage of text and literally not retain a single thing. I feel stupid and like I am already falling behind my peers. I am concerned I have made the wrong decision in choosing to quit a job to complete further studies. I have reached out to some of my peers to start a study group in the hopes I can get some support, but I have an assignment deadline rapidly approaching and am concerned my work will be trash.

I am exhausted all the time, even when I get 8-9 hours sleep and I really struggle to get out of bed in the morning. I am overweight and try to take light walks but find I am even more exhausted afterwards. I just don't know what to do or how to get motivated.

[Willo2020]

I feel you. No one understands....I do.....I'm in same boat. Talk to me

[WithoutApaddle]

Your psychologist probably already mentioned this. But setting small achievable goals for yourself. (And doing them)

Is a great way to make a task more manageable.

Also, meeting your small goals is a great motivational booster to keep you on track.

Good luck with your degree.

[therising]

Hi wiilson13

You definitely sound exhausted, without a doubt.

Anxiety can definitely be exhausting. Day to day stress is a big one too. Sounds like you have a few stressors going on at the same time. Another that can contribute to exhaustion is sleep related. While relaxed activity in the body is what naturally helps us reboot during sleep, mental stress or physical stress (sleep apnea) is what generates hyper-activity, which can be thoroughly exhausting. Give the sleep apnea angle a little thought. Something else worth looking into - Seeing a GP and having blood tests for iron, B12 etc. Personally, B12 deficiency really messed me around 'til it was resolved.

If there appear to be no underlying medical issues, I'll ask how it is you 'recharge' each day. Some of the more obvious power sources: Hydro - on a cellular level, we really suffer when there's not a lot of hydration going on. Solar - vitamin D is a significant one but often not given a lot of consideration. Nuclear - natural food sources high in energy involve a bit of investigation that often goes on the back burner when there's little motivation. On a cellular level, the nuclear energy within us involves excitement (like when you're excited to leave a job in pursuit of further study/personal evolution). Kinetic activity - you mention your effort to go for walks and I definitely applaud such an effort but if the energy isn't there to allow such activity to further charge us, our efforts can often feel like a disheartening form of mental torture. I get it, I really do. We're a powerhouse yet often we can be left feeling like an under-powered house when we're more exhausted than we are energised.

I believe that turning a 'stressor' into a 'challenge' can come down to a couple of factors: 1) of course, perception and 2) having the energy present in order for us to be able to enthusiastically rise to the challenge. If the energy's not there, we can be left feeling drained and hopeless.

It's definitely worth looking into having blood tests done or investigating the possibility of sleep apnea. Another thing that might help make a little difference in starting the day: We typically wake up in a state of relaxation. Stretching exercises can help further wake the body up.

I know these suggestions may sound a little simplistic but I've found that after having left my 15 year battle with depression behind me, raising my consciousness and addressing energy factors is what has helped keep me out of it.

🙂