How To Know Its Ms Fatigue
Even though fatigue happens in most people with MS, itâs possible other things could be dragging you down.
Non-MS fatigue, also called secondary fatigue, can happen when you have another condition such as:
- Mood disorders like depression
- Infections
- Thyroid issues
âIf youâre up at night because you feel like you have to empty your bladder often, or your sleep is disrupted because of loud snoring and frequent awakenings because of sleep apnea, or muscle cramps ⦠then itâs not surprising your day is hindered by fatigue,â Serra says.
You may also feel fatigued as a side effect of a medication youâre on, or from drug or alcohol use.
Most of these are issues your doctor can help you manage and treat.
Depression Feels Like Sleeping Too Much
or too little.
Your sleep is often affected when you have depression, along with your appetite.
You may find yourself wanting to sleep all day, even though you had a full nights rest.
Or perhaps you lie awake at night with racing thoughts, thinking intensely about the past and future. Your body is tired enough to sleep but you just, well, cant.
What Is It Like To Have High
People living with high-functioning anxiety and depression usually do not fit the stereotype of either disorder. In fact, many appear to be overachievers. The anxiety can serve as an energizer, driving the person towards achieving his or her goals. Its later, when in private, that the symptoms of depression tend to emerge. Feelings of self-doubt and self-criticism, fatigue, helplessness or guilt, moodiness, and a desire to avoid interaction with others become intensified. Because the stereotypical image of depression or anxiety doesnt match up with what people living with high-functioning anxiety and depression look like, it is hard to spot, even for sufferers to recognize in themselves. However, the symptoms of high-functioning anxiety and depression are the same as for non-high functioning anxiety and depression. The main difference is the ability to suppress or diminish the appearance of disruptions in life activities.
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You Dont Sleep As Well
Depression may be disrupting your sleeping patterns in some way. About 80% of people with depression, for example, experience insomnia.
But its not just a lack of sleep that causes tiredness. Oversleeping, which is also a common symptom of depression, can cause similar feelings of fatigue over a period of time.
These kinds of sleep irregularities are among the biggest causes of fatigue in those who experience depression.
What Causes Anxiety Disorders
We dont fully understand what causes anxiety disorders. But it is thought that the following factors can cause anxiety.
Genetics. Some people seem to be born more anxious than others. You may get anxiety through your genes.
Life experience. This could be bad experiences such as being abused or losing a loved one. It could also include big changes in life such as moving home, losing your job or pregnancy.
Drugs. Caffeine in coffee and alcohol can make you feel anxious. Illegal drugs, also known as street drugs can also have an effect.
Circumstances. Sometimes you know what is causing your anxiety. When the problem goes, so does your anxiety.
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Stress Versus Mental Exhaustion
Stress is a term that refers to anything that temporarily taxes a persons mental, physical, and emotional resources. Our bodies respond to both good and bad stress in similar ways. Ideally, were able to quickly resolve stressors and return our bodies to a state of balance. Long-term stress leads to mental exhaustion not the other way around.
What My Depression Feels Like
I was sitting in my psychiatrists office and she asked me what does depression feel like to you?
Being a healthcare professional, I knew all the DSM-5 criteria/symptoms by heart and started rattling some off. Depression feels like low mood, lack of energy, fatigue, low motivation
She stopped me. No. I mean what does Depression FEEL like to you.
You mean Depression, with a capital D. What does it FEEL like to me
Hmm. Well Depression feels like to me the following:
Depression feels like walking through knee-high mud. I feel like a snail going through grass. I feel like I am walking underwater trying to plant my feet on the bottom. I go for a hike with my friends. They are ten, maybe fifteen feet, ahead of me. They yell back to me to pick up the pace. I am too slow. I have to expend so much energy to pick up my feet, put them down, pick them back up again and so forth. I am a competitive perfectionist and I feel like I have failed them. It feels like nature and my own body are conspiring against me. I am anchored into the ground. I can hardly move.
Depression makes you feel like that guy in that commercial with the cloud over his head. You dont want this cloud. You wish it would go away. People look at you with disdain. Why are you bringing this cloud in here ! Or Just pretend its sunny and youre dry and happy instead of wet and miserable. Depression feels like endlessly trying to pretend your warm and content, when really youre tired, miserable and wet.
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Troubleshoot Your Sleep Hygiene
Sleep hygiene is the term used to describe healthy sleep habits or behaviors you can practice that may help improve your ability to fall asleep and remain sleeping through the night.2 Following good sleep hygiene can improve the quality and quantity of sleep you get each night. It also plays a significant role in your physical and mental health.
To help improve your sleep hygiene, make sure to follow a nightly routine that allows time for relaxing activities. Finding ways to unwind before bed may allow you to quiet your mind, relax your body, and get a better night of sleep. Also, aim to get up and go to bed around the same time each day. Limit or eliminate electronics in the evening hours and shut down all screens at least 60 minutes before bed.
How Your Doctor Can Help
You need to let your doctor know all about your fatigue symptoms. This can help them see the patterns in your day-to-day life.
âDonât just say âI’m fatigued,ââ Hou says. âExplain what that actually means, like âI’m fatigued and therefore I can’t finish showering,’ or ‘I avoid showering because itâs too tiring.â Tell us if you canât finish vacuuming, or have to take a nap at two o’clock every day.â
Once theyâve gathered this info, they can help you come up with a plan. They might suggest that you:
Above all, reach out. Talk to your doctor, your loved ones, and others with MS for connection and help with your fatigue.
âAs with everything MS, having a good support system is of great importance,â Serra says. âRecognizing that fatigue is a common and disabling symptom in MS, and that you are not alone in experiencing it, is a good first step.â
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How Can I Ease Or Relieve Fatigue
If a medical condition isnât causing your fatigue, lifestyle changes may improve your symptoms. To reduce fatigue, you can:
- Practice good sleep habits: Aim for seven to nine hours of sleep every night. Donât drink caffeine, use electronics, or exercise right before bed. Try to go to bed and get up at the same time every day.
- Avoid toxins: Donât use illegal drugs, and drink alcohol in moderation, if at all.
- Eat a healthy diet: A balanced diet and plenty of water will keep your body nourished and hydrated.
- Manage stress: Yoga, mindfulness, meditation and regular exercise can help you relieve stress and gain more energy.
- See your healthcare provider: Make an appointment to rule out infections, disease, illness, vitamin deficiencies and other health conditions. You should also talk to your provider about medications youâre taking to see if they are causing your symptoms.
- Exercise often: Regular exercise is crucial for a healthy lifestyle. Though it might seem counter-intuitive, vigorous exercise can help you feel more energetic once you get used to it. But exercising too much can cause fatigue, so talk to your provider about whatâs best for you.
- Maintain a healthy weight: Talk to your healthcare provider about your ideal weight, and try to stay within that range.
Talk To A Mental Health Professional
Feeling tired all the time can be a sign of a mental health issue like depression. If your sleepiness becomes excessive and difficult to manage, ask your doctor for a referral to a mental health professional. Talking with a therapist, psychologist, or psychiatrist who can treat the underlying issue may help you feel better. They can also work with you to develop strategies to boost your energy.
to read the entire article on Verywell Mind.
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Depression Feels Like Not Being Able To Get Out Of Bed
Its not in your head: Fatigue is a common symptom of depression. According to 2018 research, this is possibly due to inflammation and reduced oxygen supply.
From the outside, your low energy and lack of motivation may look similar to laziness. However, this isnt a personal choice.
If you live with depression, little tasks like sorting the mail or brushing your teeth can feel downright overwhelming.
Why Depression Makes You So Damn Tired All The Time
Fatigue, like stress and busyness, has become a default state for many people. The feeling, characterized by extreme tiredness and low energy, usually occurs after an especially mentally, emotionally or physically draining experience.
But its not always temporary or circumstantial. Fatigue can also be a symptom of a bigger issue, like depression. In fact, fatigue occurs in over 90 percent of people living with the mental health condition, according to 2018 data.
For someone to have depression, not just general fatigue, several of these symptoms need to be present most days, for most of the day, for at least two weeks, said Don Mordecai, a psychiatrist and the national leader for mental health and wellness at Kaiser Permanente.
Part of the reason depression and debilitating fatigue go hand in hand is because depression affects neurotransmitters associated with alertness and the reward system, Mordecai said. That means the illness physiologically has an impact on your energy levels.
Another reason is that depression negatively affects sleep, whether its difficulty falling asleep, trouble staying asleep, waking up too early or just not sleeping as deeply, said Sari Chait, a clinical psychologist based in Massachusetts.
People with depression who push themselves to get through their day can, in turn, experience more fatigue, which can then make them feel even more depressed, and the cycle keeps going.
– Sari Chait, clinical psychologist
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Mental And Physical Fatigue
When depression strikes, it brings mental and physical fatigue. No amount of sleep will feel like it is enough. Your body will feel run down and exhausted. Mental fatigue, however, can make one feel like they cannot string a complete thought together. There is an inability to concentrate or complete tasks that need to be done. Depression in some cases can make it feel impossible to get any work completed. Much less give it your best.
Your Thoughts And Feelings Affect Everything You Do
Not feeling right can cause you to think and act differently and this can affect all aspects of your life, sometimes in the most unexpected ways.
When somethings not right you could experience it in different ways. You might get sick or just feel generally run-down. You may feel like youre not your usual self â you dont want to be around anyone when usually you love company. You may cry a lot for no apparent reason or easily lose your temper, or even wonder what your life is all about.
Getting an overall picture of yourself helps to make sense of whats happening in your life, and what can help you feel better. One way to do that is to think about whats happening in different aspects of your life your body , your spirit , your social circle and your mind .
- Physical : Thinking about your tinana means focusing on how you look after and care for your body.
- Mental : Thinking about hinengaro means focusing on emotions and how you communicate, think and feel.
- Social : Thinking about whnau means focusing on the relationships you have with people who support you. Their support might be physical, cultural or emotional.
- Spiritual : Thinking about wairua means focusing on things that give your life meaning. That might mean your religion. It could also mean thinking about your links with the environment , your heritage, and your connections to ancestors .
Know and understand those unseen things that can cause worry, anxiety and fear â Mori proverb.
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Burnout Versus Mental Exhaustion
Of all the conditions weve mentioned, burnout is the most similar to mental exhaustion. They share a significant number of symptoms, and both are caused by long-term stress. Burnout, though, is classified specifically as a workplace phenomenon. On the other hand, mental exhaustion can be caused by anything not just work stress. Mental exhaustion in one area of life can often lead to job burnout, even if the initial stress wasnt work-related.
Mental fatigue shares many symptoms with burnout, depression, stress, and physical exhaustion. Because of that, we can use some of the same techniques to overcome it.
Depression And Physical Health
Depression can manifest with physical symptoms. People with depression may experience appetite changes which can cause weight loss or weight gain that is significant. Excessive weight gain can in turn be associated with diabetes and other heart diseases, while excessive weight loss can be harmful to the heart and cause fatigue. People with depression may also experience chronic pain that is unexplained by other diagnoses.
Individuals with depression who already have other chronic illnesses might find that their condition worsens. Depression may cause them to struggle with their treatment plan for their chronic illness. They might miss doctors appointments and have a general disinterest in maintaining their wellness.
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How Can My Doctor Manage Fatigue
To find out what is causing your fatigue, your healthcare provider will ask questions about your lifestyle and medications and will conduct a physical examination. They might order some lab tests to test blood and urine. If you are a woman of child-bearing age, your provider will probably order a pregnancy test.
To relieve fatigue, your provider will treat the condition or disorder thatâs causing it. Depending on your health, your treatment plan may include a combination of medication, exercise, or therapy. If youâre taking a medication that makes you feel exhausted, talk to your healthcare provider about the risks and benefits of stopping the medication or trying another one.
Reasons Depression Makes You Tired
Fatigue can be one of the first symptoms of depression, and one of the most noticeable. Those with depression might find themselves thinking things like Im tired of being tired, or I just want to sleep the day away. Are you wondering why depression makes you tired? Were here to explore several reasons why those with depression might be experiencing this.
The nature of the disease
Depression affects the neurotransmitters in the brain that control how awake and alert individuals feel. In our experience, it is very rare that fatigue is NOT one of the main symptoms of someone suffering from depression. Feeling excessively tired should be a warning sign that there is an imbalance of chemicals in the brain that needs to be addressed by a mental health professional.
Sleeping patterns
Depression can disrupt sleeping patterns at night, causing greater levels of fatigue during the day. It takes depressed people longer to fall asleep as well, which results in them sleeping for less time than their non-depressive counterparts. A good nights rest has many restorative properties for brain function, and when sleep is light, interrupted, or insufficiently long, restorative processes can be interrupted, and even halted. Sufficient rest is a key factor of managing a mental illness.
Medications
Fatigue can be a side effect of several antidepressant medications. Talk to your doctor if you feel your medications could be contributing to your fatigue.
Stress
Seeking Help
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Depression Feels Like Crying All Day Without A Reason
Many people with depression can experience intense sadness or crying outbursts.
You may find yourself shedding tears during commercials, songs, or out of the blue while sitting at your desk.
As you navigate this, Cramer says to try to find a way to process your feelings.
Some people may enjoy listening to a song that identifies with their emotions. Others may find writing in a journal extremely helpful, she says. It is important to do some trial and error here to determine what is successful.
Depression And Mental Clarity
Bee Moore shares on the website, The Mighty how her depression left her feeling like she was driving in a dense fog she just couldnt escape:
When Im in a depression fog I drift through existence at an abnormally slow rate and it can be frustrating to those who I interact with because of my slow responses and lack of being able to properly process what is happening around me. It can affect work production, social and familial responsibilities and physical health When I am confronted with something, it seems to come out of nowhere, like suddenly coming up on a car you didnt see in front of you and slamming into it at full speed.
More than 85 percent of people with depression experience some form of cognitive dysfunction, according to an article published in Annals of General Psychiatry. Sometimes referred to as Brain Fog, depression symptoms can include trouble concentrating, remembering details and making decisions.
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