Desk job exhaustion - adhd?

[Amiwrong]

I have ADD (no H no matter how much I try lol). I work in administration, so a desk job. I know the research on how bad this form of work is on health, but does anyone else feel complete and utter exhaustion at the end of a work day? I mean I’m not high energy anyway, but when I get home I can hardly move. My job is busy and requires a lot of focus, but I can’t get over how tired I get. It really adds to the common complaint of the eat, work, sleep cycle. There can’t be any expectations on me after 4pm!

[Queen_of_Tara]

Have you looked into signs of depression? I know there are many complex signs but fatigue and exhaustion is a big sign of depression for me. I too am in an admin job and I'm feeling lack of motivation at the moment which burns up my energy and I'm about ready for sleep when I get home from work. Probably some depression with a mix of feeling boredom or lack of motivation, I'm not really sure at the moment. There's also a mood chart that you can track low and high energy symptoms. The one I have is from my therapist that I fill out for the week just past and send to her. It is from moodtreatmemtcenter.com. do you have a therapist to talk with about your ADD symptoms?

[Queen_of_Tara in reply to Queen_of_Tara]

Sorry for typo. Moodtreatmentcenter.com

[Amiwrong in reply to Queen_of_Tara]

I will check that out. Yes, my therapist is helping me with self care and trying to understand add more. Slow process but that’s ok. My depression has gotten pretty bad, and yes, zero, absolutely no motivation or interests in anything. I think as I get older it’s harder to care lol The push I could have done before is just not there. I’m just pooped 😝

[LL1111]

Oh yes, definitely. Not sure what age bracket you're in, but I have a similar job and for me, perimenopause made the post-workday fatigue so much worse and was pretty unbearable at around 46. Even starting the day used to feel impossible, but I've been much better thanks to medication. However, once I walk through the door at home after work I plant myself on the couch and don't move. I am trying to find ways to be productive and have energy after work. I'm wondering if it is just mental drain from a demanding job? Similar to going on a long road trip - everyone would be exhausted after driving 6-8 hours. Although physically you have been sitting, our brains have been constantly engaged.

[Amiwrong in reply to LL1111]

I never thought about comparing it to focused driving for 8 hours a day, 5 days a week, but that’s exactly what it’s like. As soon as I walk in I sit at my desk, I focus back and forth on two computer screens, I have multiple programs open (including emails), and I go hyper focus all day. I am all over the places with my many tasks on those computers. After work I can’t move or think anymore. I couldn’t get up to do anything if you paid me.

I am 50 and on hrt for menopause for a few years now, but my energy hasn’t improved. Complete exhaustion! I am really happy though that it has helped you

[LL1111 in reply to Amiwrong]

Yes, that is very similar to me. I've not been on HRT - it was actually the adhd medication Vyvanse that gave me the energy to get moving in the morning. Its odd, I don't feel super exhausted when I leave work, only when I walk through the door at home. Definitely don't have the energy to physically do anything, but I also feel the need to zone out and turn off mentally as well. I wonder if my lack of physical energy is also due to little to no exercise and being too sedentary? I'm still trying to figure this out.

[Amiwrong in reply to LL1111]

For me, it’s for sure worse when I walk through the door, but I think I’m still gunning on whatever is getting me through and then when I’m home my body and mind says “ok that’s it we’re done now” lol. If I have to run an errand it has to happen before I get home.

I used to think it was because of the lack of exercise but even after 3 years of lifting weights and a year at the gym, I was still tired. I guess I was hoping it could be from one thing to make it easier to resolve but it’s probably from a combo of physical and mental reasons for being so tired. Oh joy lol