When does the exhaustion go? TW

[Plonkydonkey]

Hi I'm just wondering when I will feel normal again. I'm utterly exhausted if I do a day with people. In may I had an overdose. I intended to die at the time and was a big of a wreck. I was on diazepam and am on citalopram.

Im beginning to feel human and can now see the wood for the trees. I'm grateful that I'm still here. I'm due back at work soon. My anxiety is high though but I'm fighting it.

On Tuesday I did a volunteer shift at my local charity shop (I'm a hcp) to see how I managed. I was OK. A bit overwhelmed. Managed to chat to the public. The next day however I was utterly exhausted and could hardly keep my eyes open.

I am no longer on diazepam. How do i get through a shift without taking obvious shakes and look like a wreck. When will the exhaustion go away. My patients are going to be worried being looked after by a wreck.

I can't stay home any longer. I need to get back to life.

Any ideas?

Are you still on citalopram? I'm on duloxetine and I'm tired too x

Yes I am still on citalopram. I think I will be for a very long time.

It's only been 16 weeks. It's not a lot of time to recover from that. Can you take longer sick leave to spend time looking after yourself?

I've been reading about autistic burnout and wondered whether some of the learning from that could apply to your case (even if you don't have autism). For instance, looking at why the collapse happened and whether your job or home life contributed to that and any way to change the stresses? X

My stress was a mix. I'm totally outing myself so if you know me then please don't let me know that you have seen this.

Dealing with an ill husband, long long work hours. Strong personalities at work, made a couple of mistakes that tipped me. School runs, work travel, new cpd, patients expectations vs nhs provision, house going to pot due to my depression. ( I sorted that out by getting a cleaner. I saw it as self care.)

Insomnia, menopause, thankfully I'm now on meds, a sick child waiting for a diagnosis. Just generally the life of a woman/mum/wife/worker....

I am using annual leave to cut my hours and I'm tempted to permanently cut them ad I feel like I'm constantly out and doing things.

I don't want to be off sick anymore. I feel not working is frying my brain.... But that could just be me over thinking again.

But my brain is permanently tired. Sorry for the offload.

I'm off to read about autistic burnout.