Extreme fatigue due to anxiety: what does it consist of?

The feeling of tiredness is one of the most frequent, but also one of the most ambiguous. It is so normal to feel fatigue, apathy and lack of energy that we generally do not even bother to look for the source of the discomfort. And there are so many situations and pathologies that can give rise to this manifestation that it is difficult to identify its origin. However, extreme fatigue due to anxiety is more common than we think.

This It goes beyond simple physical exhaustion; It also includes mental exhaustion that prevents us or makes it extremely difficult for us to function daily. Getting out of bed, participating in social gatherings or even practicing our favorite hobbies can seem like a world when fatigue is present. However, although we generally associate it with depression and other similar emotional disorders, stress and anxiety can also be the cause.

What is extreme fatigue due to anxiety?

Extreme fatigue due to anxiety is a subjective sensation that can generate both physical and psychological symptoms. As a rule, It manifests itself as exhaustion and lack of strength, but also as reluctance, apathy and discouragement. These sensations last over time and are present even when the person rests for enough hours.

Beyond being a personal discomfort, This condition leaves its mark on our daily lives, affecting our cognitive, affective, motor and social processes.. For this reason, performing adequately in this state or with this sensation is complicated. Some of the most common manifestations include the following:

Lack of concentration and difficulties in maintaining sustained attention. They may appear memory problems.Irritabilityrestlessness and inner restlessness.Lack of interest in participating in social and recreational activitiesrest is prioritized even if it is not restorative. Abulia.

Why does it occur?

To understand how anxiety works we can make a simile with a burglar alarm installed in the home. This in itself is necessary, It serves an important function: alerting us to danger and mobilizing us to take action.. However, if it breaks down and the loud sound does not stop for hours, days or months, it will not only be incredibly annoying but will make it very difficult to live a normal life inside that house.

The same thing happens with anxiety. The physiological activation that is triggered in the body is vital when we are faced with a real and specific danger; but when It is activated for long periods of time or in innocuous situations.it is truly harmful.

And it is that The human organism is not designed to sustain continuous states of alert., to deal for long periods with increased heart and respiratory rates, muscle tension and high levels of cortisol. For the same reason, fatigue arises due to activity derived from sustained psychological tension.

How to identify if you suffer from extreme fatigue due to anxiety?

If you suspect that you may suffer from extreme fatigue due to anxiety, we show you some signs that can help you determine if this is the case.

There are no objective physical causes that explain the discomfort.

The main characteristic of extreme fatigue due to anxiety is that it occurs even when there are no physical reasons to support it. That is the person does not perform strenuous physical activity or sleep fewer hours than necessary. If so, the fatigue would probably be due to these causes.

Besides, rest is not restorative: Lying on the couch or taking a nap or overnight are not actions that are useful in reducing discomfort. And its origin is different.

You suffer from sleep disorders

Sleep is one of the first indicators that something is not right with our mental health. Anxiety can make it difficult to fall asleep, restless or fragmented.. Frequent awakenings are common and worries tend to crowd the mind when trying to rest.

Presenting this type of alteration will make the fatigue more pronounced and the consequences during the day more visible.

You suffer from muscle pain

Psychological tension usually also manifests itself on a physical level. For this reason, many people who suffer from extreme fatigue due to anxiety They also suffer from bruxism, back pain or frequent contractures.

You feel overwhelmed

The emotional exhaustion suffered by those who suffer from extreme fatigue due to anxiety is due to the person is in constant conflict with himself or his life situation. Work or personal stress, dissatisfaction, frustration and the desire to modify current conditions without success exert great wear and tear that ends up taking its toll.

Fighting extreme fatigue due to anxiety is possible

If you have identified with the previous statements, it is time for you to make some changes. Maintaining states of anxiety can be very harmful to your health.

Therefore, if you want to reduce the tiredness you feel, it may not be enough to spend time resting or increasing your hours of sleep (although a good night’s rest is essential); besides, It is important that you reduce the load of tasks in your life or the way you deal with them.

It is not always possible to reduce work responsibilities, but perhaps we can delegate some of it to our team; We could apply the same rule for the home. Learning to regulate anxiety is also basic; Having and using certain resources can make the same daily routine become lighter and more bearable.

In this regard, You can start practicing meditation, undergo training in relaxation techniques or learn to restructure your thoughts.

There are professionals trained to help you achieve this change of perspective. and train you in the use of these techniques that can be extremely useful in your daily life. Don’t hesitate to seek help if extreme fatigue due to anxiety is affecting your life.

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