Mental Exhaustion

[Butterfly22]

My main symptom at the moment is mental exhaustion, completely tired all the time and struggle to think clearly or concentrate, does anyone know any way to alliviate this symptom?

[sickandtired]

in my opinion....this is a sure sign of the start of depression.......Id been going downhill for a few years,no motivation whatsoever,no sleep,irritable,crying.....I even stopped washing or brushing my teeth.....i wanted to be left alone,became agrophobic etc
the answer for me was anti depressants......didnt really want to take them at first,but i was desperate for change and although it was very hard ....im so glad i did
im also having cbt,which hopefully will help me change my negative thinking
good luck & hugs to you

[littleredhen]

Hi Butterfly

Sorry to say, but I think the only answer is rest.

I get this a lot but its because I am pushing myself too hard to keep going and then I just hit a wall and cannot do anything anymore. Cannot think about anything, cannot make any decisions (even whether to make tea or coffee) The solution is nearly always just to stop doing anything and lie on the sofa under a blanket, turn off the phone, put family on standby and stare at the tv for a day or two. I used to fight it, but now I just give in and take the rest. It usually doesn't take too long for me to recharge the manic battery. I now get to recognise when I am getting to that point so that I can schedule the 'rest' days for a weekend so that I can continue to work or for when I am not expected to be doing something else.

The other things to consider are that you are eating properly and staying hydrated. Dehydration is a cause of a lot of problems and can reduce concentration massively.

Dehydration adversely affects mental performance. In adults, symptoms of mild dehydration include light-headedness, dizziness, tiredness, irritability, and headache, as well as reduced alertness and ability to concentrate.(1,2,3) At greater levels of dehydration, the impact on mental functioning is more severe and can lead to clumsiness, dim vision, exhaustion and may even result in delirium.(4)

see here for more:
http://www.water.org.uk/home/water-f.../concentration

Hope you feel better soon.

[Butterfly22]

Thank you both, yes maybe it is rest that I need, I do push myself to keep on going just like you described.

[swgrl09]

I hate this feeling and having anxiety really exhausts you, on top of any other stuff you have going on. I'm a grad student and work too and plus anxiety find myself mentally exhausted all the time. You need to take a break for yourself, do whatever makes you feel good. For me sometimes it's just going out on a date night with my fiance or putting away my books and washing trashy tv. Take care of yourself.

[sickandtired]

yes,definitely taking time out for yourself helps.....
the AD's alone havent just helped......Ive 'made' myself go out when Id rather curl up in bed......got a part time job,when i felt i didnt have the confidence to go for one.......and Ive started socialising alot more...AND enjoying myself for the first time in ages......slowly but surely ,my life is getting back on track......hopefully,the PA's and depression will be just a distant memory

[Pinkcasi]

Jeez Sick and tired are you sure your not me and im unaware that i have alternative personalities ha ha you took the words straight out of my mouth. I biggest problem in my youth was noticing the signs, now it's been so long i can feel it coming, and when the cloud starts to hover i just take to my bed sometimes for just and afternoon and that'll be enough to sort me sometimes it's longer, I try to explain this to people (the boyfriend) that i just need to wallow for a bit and i can handle it, sometime i cant i'll be honest and im not saying that im an expert I mean im on anti depressants so it's not like im doing it on my own. Just know when you need to stop and know that it's ok to just stop and chill out, for an hour or a day whatever, just look after yourself.