Anxiety & No Energy

[StereotypicalPisces]

I feel like I’ve slept the last three days away. And even though I am awake now I still feel like I could sleep again if I were to even blink for too long. I have two jobs and I take online classes and dealing with other issues within my personal life. I feel like I am run completely dry and this past week in particular my anxiety has increased so much to the point of panic attacks and I find myself nauseated and a loss of appetite. I hate how much weight I’ve lost within the past couple of months. Plus the anxiety triggers my GERD which doesn’t help with anything. I feel like I’m learning nothing from my classes since I don’t have the time to read or study. Most of my life is spent at work and I barely sleep anymore.

How can I handle having a social life, work and school without feeling like death on wheels or too overwhelmed? I’m completely drained and fatigued. My memory sucks right now. And it’s hard to focus or do my best at anything.

[b1b1b1]

You probably cannot handle all three at the same time. I think one of them has to go and you will need to choose which one.

[Hidden]

Your body's telling you to slow down, you're going to have to make a decision handling all these things at once is unhealthy physically and mentally

[Jay0711]

Agreed.

If I were you I would do my best to drop something. I never thought you could actually burn out until it happened to me this summer. I took on way too much at work and had all the same symptoms you are describing. After 6 months of crazy hours, I physically became ill and had to take a leave of absence from work which has seriously hammpered my career. Worry about your health first. If you don't, no one else wiIl and you will never be able to do a great job on whatever work you want to accomplish. If you would like to discuss more, let us know and maybe we can give you some advice that would help you prioritize.

[StereotypicalPisces in reply to Jay0711]

I really would like to talk to someone to help me out because this is not an easy decision at all

[Jay0711]

Do you have a parent or close friend who knows you well enough that could help? Also, please feel free to bring up whatever you feel comfortable sharing and we can try to give you some ideas to think about.

[StereotypicalPisces in reply to Jay0711]

I could talk to a parent but I feel like the hardest part would be not feeling like a failure for quitting something. This time last year I had to quit another job but my anxiety was much worse and I fear that I’m going to reach that breaking point again.

[Jay0711 in reply to StereotypicalPisces]

I can 100% relate. I've had to quit a few jobs after a while because of my anxiety. Even the situation I'm going through now I was so embarassed to tell anyone. I don't know what your relationship is like with your family or friends but for me I'm very close to my Dad. However I was extremely nervous to tell him I'm going on leave because I felt like a loser who yet again can't handle the pressure of the working world. I eventually got the courage and he was nothing but supportive. I think sometimes our depression and anxiety give us this false sense of reality. I think this is especially true with how we view ourselves. A lot of times our issues aren't much different than anyone else's. We are just so damn hard on ourselves making us feel that much worse. Again I don't know what your relationship is like with your parents or friends so I wouldn't feel comfortable giving advice on who to talk to in your inner circle. I trust your judgement on that. What I can tell you is that you may be surprised how supportive your loved ones are. Hope that helps and please keep asking us for help if need be!

[StereotypicalPisces in reply to Jay0711]

I’m very close with my mother but at this point I’m tired of being miserable. I really need to get a hold on my health again like I did before I took on so much responsibility. I recovered. But not enough to do all of this.

[Jay0711 in reply to StereotypicalPisces]

That's great you are sick of being miserable! It sounds like you are ready to work hard for a positive change. I would talk to your Mom and see what she says about cutting back. Again I can't stress enough you will be surprised by your loved ones responses. Just please remember that you aren't a failure or that you are being lazy because you need to drop something. You are obvioisly a very motivated and hard-working person. Every one has a limit on how much they can do and it looks like you reached yours. And that's ok!

[StereotypicalPisces in reply to Jay0711]

Thank you for the advice and motivation! I really needed it

[Ann10]

I agree that you are trying to do too much. It is not worth it if you can't function at work and don't have enough time to study for your class. Listen to your body because sleep is very important. It is the time that your body heals from all of your daily activities.