Food Allergies Food Intolerance And Fatigue
Symptoms: Fatigue, sleepiness, continued exhaustion
Although food is supposed to give you energy, medical research suggests that hidden food intolerances — or allergies — can do the opposite. In fact, fatigue may be an early warning sign of food intolerance or food allergy. Celiac disease, which happens when you cant digest gluten, may also cause fatigue.
Ask your doctor about the elimination diet. This is a diet in which you cut out certain foods linked to a variety of symptoms, including sleepiness within 10 to 30 minutes of eating them, for a certain period of time to see if that makes a difference. You can also talk to your doctor about a food allergy test — or invest in a home test such as ALCAT — which may help you identify the offending foods.
Signs Of Walking Depression
I once read that succumbing to depression doesnt mean you are weak, but that you have been trying to be strong for too long, which is maybe a form of denial. So much of life happens somewhere in between being okay and complete breakdownthats where many of us live, and doing so requires strength. ~ novelist Matthew Quick
Walking depression can be hard to recognize because it doesnt fit the more common picture of severe depression. But it can be just as dangerous to our well-being when left unacknowledged.
This list isnt meant to be exhaustive or to diagnose anyone. But these are some of the signs Ive observed in myself and those Ive coached:
Nothing is fun. You root around for something to look forward to and come up empty.
You cant find flow. Working on your creative projects feels like a grind, but you keep plodding away. There is research that shows that neuroticism is associated with lower rates of flow.
Your energy is low. Maybe youre not getting enough rest because youre too anxious to sleep, or youre trying to cram too many tasks into a day, or youre punishing yourself by staying up. Whatever the reason, you are effin tired.
You feel worse in the morning and better at night. I remember explaining this to a friend, who found it mystifying. In the morning I felt the crushing weight of all the things I had to do that day. In the evening I was temporarily free from expectations and could enjoy a moments respite.
Difficulty Experiencing Joy Or Connection
When were depressed, it can take all of the enjoyment out of the things we love and make it more difficult for us to connect to those closest to us. We may begin to lose interest in hobbies, friendships, schoolwork, social activities, sex or life in general. When this happens, we may find ourselves feeling isolated from friends, family members or others who care about us.
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Persistent Irritability Or Mood Swings
Depression can cause us to experience outbursts and mood swings. One minute were angry, the next were crying uncontrollably or we shut down and go numb. Changes in our mood can switch in a moments notice. Sometimes these changes can be triggered by small or insignificant challenges, while other times they can come about unprovoked. If you notice a pattern of irritability or mood swings that last more than a few days, it may be linked to depression.
Lack Of Focus Direction Or Drive
It may be a simple thing of a lack of focus, direction or drive for your reason for sadness. You may have a great life, but you dont know which way to go next. You arent taking what you do have seriously. In fact, you may be taking what you have for granted.
The lack of gratitude may be the reason why you cant see the good even though its there. Youre forgetting why you started. You dont recognize yourself in the mirror because youve let yourself wander so far. But now, its time to get it all back.
Choose. Make choices. Act. It sounds simple, but it is not easy to get your drive back. You have to really want it. And that changes everything.
Your mindset is everything. If you cant view things with a positive spin, you will have nothing to do that is meaningful or productive. If your mindset is causing you to overlook what you do have and what you can have, its time to change it. Just with positive self talk, getting focused is about realizing what you deserve.
Its during our darkest moments that we must focus to see the light. Aristotle
If you want to find your drive, this article can help you: How to Get Motivated Every Day When You Wake Up
Recommended Reading: Natural Mood Enhancers For Depression
I Get Plenty Of Sleep Im Not Depressed So Why Am I Always Tired
Dont miss the next live chat: Dr. Andrea Bonior, a licensed clinical psychologist who has been helping readers with Baggage Check since 2005, hosts a weekly live chat at washingtonpost.com on Tuesdays at 1 p.m. She discusses her recent columns and answers any questions you may have about relationships, work, family, mental health and more. Join or read Dr. Andreas latest live chat here.
Q. I am always really tired. Not depressed, not overly stressed, just tired. I get plenty of sleep. I dont have any major health problems. And yet I can never keep up with my friends. They always want to go out after the workweek, or do big things on the weekend. I never have the energy. It leaves me feeling less-than. Any ideas what could be going on?
Certainly, being always really tired is not the same as just preferring to chill on weekends. Are you sure this is an energy issue as in, your battery is actually deficient? Or might it just be that your battery needs to be recharged in a different way than your friends do? For some people, especially introverts, doing big, social things is actively exhausting in its own right. What kind of things do motivate you and get you moving? Are there times you feel more energized than others?
Hes fine, hes not, hes fine
Send your questions for Baggage Check to Dr. Andrea Bonior at . She may answer them in an upcoming column in Express or in a live chat on Tuesdays at 1 p.m. at washingtonpost.com.
Read more Baggage Check:
You Dont Strike A Balance
Laziness and demotivation can crop up when we feel like we have to work all the time.
Our minds create a safety net from this and try to stop us from working.
To avoid this, create a balanced productive lifestyle.
What you can do:
2. Do the things you enjoy.
Youll avoid burnout in the end, and youll enjoy being productive.
Life should always be a harmonious balance.
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Burnout Isn’t Just Exhaustion Here’s How To Deal With It
A recent survey by the American Psychological Association found that 3 in 4 Americans said that the pandemic is a significant source of stress.
Millions of people have lost loved ones, have become ill themselves and/or have lost income as a result of the pandemic. The threat of COVID-19 alone has been stressful for most people, as has all of the upheaval that the pandemic has brought, says Bufka.
Stress “keeps our mind vigilant and our nervous system vigilant, and that uses more energy,” says Elissa Epel, a psychologist at the University of California, San Francisco. That’s one reason that prolonged stress can leave us feeling drained.
You Spend Too Much Time On Your Phone
Phones are great distractions. Especially when youre feeling lazy and unmotivated. Its such a good escape, and you even feel like youre doing something productive.
Phones overstimulate us and provide instant gratification. We become happy for a while.
But this happiness can turn to bitterness. Especially if you see someone else doing better than you. Because social media has that effect. It shows us the best of people and masks reality.
And its easy to get sucked into that world where the grass looks greener.
Not to forget the physical effects of scrolling relentlessly. I get a massive headache and feel like I had 2 hours of sleep. It just makes me feel sick and lethargic. And I cant be the only one who feels this way.
What you can do:
Break away from your phone.
Mute notifications and place it far away from you. Out of sight, out of mind.
Youll be surprised by how much your creativity and productivity will improve.
And if you need to escape, try reading. Its healthier.
Also Check: How Can You Be Diagnosed With Depression
You Cant Just Snap Out Of Depression
Well-meaning friends or family members may try to tell someone with depression to snap out of it, just be positive, or you can be happier if you just try harder. But depression is not a sign of a persons weakness or a character flaw. The truth is that most people who experience depression need treatment to get better.
If you are a friend or family member of a woman with depression, you can offer emotional support, understanding, patience, and encouragement. But never dismiss her feelings. Encourage her to talk to her health care provider, and remind her that, with time and treatment, she can feel better.
Why Is It Hard To Admit That You Have Walking Depression
You may recognize many of these signs in your life but still be slow to admit that you are depressed. Why is that?
Because it feels presumptuous to put yourself in that category when youre still getting by. You feel like it would be insulting to those who are much worse off than you. You may feel like you have no real reason to be depressed.
Because your pride and your identity take a hit. You have to admit vulnerability and allow that you are not the all-conquering superhero you thought you were.
Because you realize that you and your life need to change, which feels like more work piled on your plate.
Because you are admitting your own responsibility for your unhappiness and that can trigger self-judgment.
Because you might uncover grief or anger at those around you for not seeing and taking better care of you.
Also Check: What Is The Worst Form Of Depression
Feeling More Depressed In The Morning Can Be A Symptom Of Chronic Depression
There are many different types of depression. A symptom of chronic depression mentioned in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual is diurnal mood variation, which is sometimes referred to as morning depression.
Diurnal mood variation is where you experience more intense symptoms in the morning and find that they gradually improve throughout the day.
A person with diurnal mood variation or morning depression who finds that they wake up depressed is also likely to experience the following symptoms:
- Sleeping more than usual
- Finding it difficult to get out of bed in the morning
- Having difficulties completing their usual morning tasks and activities
- Being more irritable in the mornings
- Having no drive or motivation to get started with the day ahead
Glandular Fever Or Mono
Also known as mononucleosis, or just mono, glandular fever usually attacks young adults. While this viral infection lasts just a couple of weeks, the fatigue, unfortunately, lingers on for months after. Other signs of this fever are a sore throat, high body temperature, and swollen glands in your neck.4
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Pandemic’s Emotional Hammer Hits Hard
This kind of mental fog is real and can have a few different causes. But at the root of it are the stress and trauma of the past year, say Cyrus and other mental health experts. It’s a normal reaction to a very abnormal year.
And while many people will likely continue to struggle with mental health symptoms in the long run, research on past mass traumas suggests that most people will recover once the coronavirus pandemic ends.
“We know that the majority of people tend to be resilient,” says Lynn Bufka, a psychologist with the American Psychological Association. “They may have struggled during the time of the challenges but generally come out OK on the other end.”
In the meantime, Bufka and other experts say that there are things we can do now to fight the mental fog and exhaustion.
How stress and sleep are linked
“Exhaustion can be a symptom of many things,” says Cyrus.
For one, it can be a symptom of stress.
“We know from other research that people will talk about fatigue as something that they experience when they’re feeling overstressed,” says Bufka.
Depression In Women: 5 Things You Should Know
Being sad is a normal reaction to difficult times in life. But usually, the sadness goes away with a little time. Depression is differentit is a mood disorder that may cause severe symptoms that can affect how you feel, think, and handle daily activities such as sleeping, eating, or working. Depression is more common among women than men, likely due to certain biological, hormonal, and social factors that are unique to women.
This brochure contains an overview of five things that everyone should know about depression in women.
Read Also: How To Help A Child With Depression
Always Tired In The Winter
Are you only tired in the winter? If you only experience fatigue in the colder, darker months, you might have Seasonal Affective Disorder . We all get the winter blues to some extent, but SAD can be more debilitating. In most cases it can be well-managed.
- Take Vitamin D. The NHS recommends that all adults take a Vitamin D supplement in the winter months.
- Go for a walk. Going for a walk, particularly at lunchtime when the sun is at its brightest, will help you get more of the natural daylight you need.
- Use a lightbox. Many SAD sufferers also use a lightbox that mimics the sunlight youre missing.
Why Am I So Fucking Tired All The Time
Everyday is so monotonous and I have trouble doing the simplest things. Everyone says it’s going to get better, but I’m just getting more and more tired of all of this.
REMINDER: This subreddit is for peer support. There have been a large number of comments focused on advice and solutions, many of which have broken subreddit rules .
If you would like to help, you do not need to ‘fix’ anything. Instead, try listening, empathizing, and understanding the OP’s experience. This in and of itself is peer support.
Me too. Judging by the up votes, we need another me too campaign. Maybe #samehere.
Life is a highway… and I’m roadkill. Think that’s how the song goes.
I know what you mean, feels like life is just continuously drained out of you every day.
I think the reason I’m tired all the time is because I expend so much energy being anxious for no good reason.
True. I very rarely take benzodiazepines, but when I do, I have SO much more mental stamina because no fast, looping thoughts
Taking supplement of vitamin D helps? I have night shift and I always sleep 5am to 2pm
It’s always good advise to start with a good medical checkup. Bloodwork can show many issues with decreased energy levels. Are you getting quality sleep? 8 hours in a bed can give you 2 hours sleep. Quality is the key. Do you snore? are you over weight? Sleep apnea?? Many things to check on.
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Does Your Lifestyle Need A Tweak
First off, ask yourself this: Do you treat your body right?
“With my patients, I talk about the three pillars of health: sleep, diet, and exercise,” says Theodore Friedman, MD, PhD.
“If you aren’t getting good sleep, it’s hard to eat well, and it’s hard to exercise. And the same is true the other way around. They’re all related.”
So try not to short-change yourself on shut-eye. Adults need 7 to 9 hours of sleep. Eat a balanced diet of fruits, veggies, and lean protein, and get a regular dose of physical activity.
If you’ve checked all those boxes and you still drag through your days, it might be time to check possible medical causes of fatigue.
Dont Use Facebook As An Indicator
You will be relieved to know that graphology is no longer considered a reliable test of a persons character. Neither is Facebook stalking, fortunately. A study showed that Facebook use of foul language, sexual innuendo and gossip were not reliable indicators of a candidates character or future performance in the workplace.
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Inability To Communicate Needs
When we are the most sad, we have trouble communicating our needs to others. But sadness doesnt form overnight. Oftentimes, the repression goes back longer and deeper. We expect others to read our minds. We dont give them a chance to get to know the real us because were so afraid of rejection.
Your needs are more than food, shelter and clothing, etc. They include understanding, compassion, reassurance, empowerment and hope. When you let yourself become vulnerable, people can offer you these things. It starts with communicating your needs.
Maybe you were passed up in a promotion, rejected in a love affair, hurt over past childhood abuse, neglected in life because of your inability to speak up. All these things do not define us. What defines us is what we do with them, the lessons learned. We have to let people in so that we can decide what to do with them.
To communicate your needs, write a list of your values, goals, what youre grateful for and what you want others to help you with in regards to these areas. Then, make a plan to ask for help. Let others see this list. Let them choose how they can help you.