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Original poster

Does this sound like burnout?

6 replies

SoRainbowRhythms · 08/11/2023 13:01

I started crying in the gym today because I have shin splints and can't run. I couldn't stop for ages. Feels like the straw that broke the camels back. I'm not even sure how to verbalise things so bullet points seem good -

  • I have a relatively easy job in a very negative environment that's starting to get to me.
  • I have been studying for an exam since August and I can literally feel the pressure mounting (2 weeks to go).
  • I have zero interest in socialising or leaving the house.
  • I haven't had a proper nights sleep in several months.
  • I feel permanently down and stressed and snap at my lovely DH a lot
  • Want to eat crap and drink wine all the time (I limit it a LOT).
  • I'm waiting an ADHD assessment (38 years old)

My jaw is in tatters from being clenched all the time and I literally just want to stay in bed crying all day. Is this burnout? What do I do?

OP posts:
Uncertain111 · 08/11/2023 13:07

It sounds like anxiety/depression. You will get better but need to remove some stressors. Once the exam is out of the way that should help. You need to practice self care too

Kielyflower · 08/11/2023 15:27

I think it could be burnout or stress or anxiety/depression. I think the lines are blurred as to where one of those things stops and the other starts.

Do you feel like you could go to your GP about it?

Depending on what suits you, you could try some relaxation techniques from an app like Calm or Insight Timer (think the latter is free).

Or peruse your local library or book shop for a self help book that might help. Also things like Mind website.

This guy is quite good : https://drchatterjee.com/

Look after yourself x

Dr Chatterjee's website

Every patient is unique. I advocate for personalised medicine specific to the individual. However, I believe lifestyle and nutrition are always the bedrock upon which all chronic medical management should be founded.

https://drchatterjee.com/

ChipButtiesRule · 08/11/2023 15:33

I started crying in the gym today because I have shin splints and can't run.

I stopped at this point (actually I read all the OP, but knew my answer at this point).

I had burn out and I first knew I was burned when I cried because I'd lost the keys to the roof rack on the car. Keys it took 10mins on Google and £10 to replace.

I sobbed at how useless I was and tore the house apart looking for them.

When your stress response is out of proportion to the situation, it is a powerful clue that your current stress levels are beyond what you can cope with.

Ffor me and from that point on it, took a move halfway across the country, 8 months off work and then a new job that was half the stress (and half the salary!) of the old one and about 3 more years of peaceful living before I felt I could handle the world with the same competence I had previously had.

Hopefully it doesn't take this much for you - but please listen to what your body and brain are trying to tell you.

Octavia64 · 08/11/2023 15:37

Sounds like it.

You need a break.

Take one.

Only a short amount of time to start with - can you take half an hour or an hour just to chill for a bit?

Then start trying to throw things over board - what are you doing in the next few days that you don't absolutely have to do and can push back?

Start cancelling things so you get some rest time. Binge watch crap on the tv.

Original poster
SoRainbowRhythms · 08/11/2023 15:38

ChipButtiesRule · 08/11/2023 15:33

I started crying in the gym today because I have shin splints and can't run.

I stopped at this point (actually I read all the OP, but knew my answer at this point).

I had burn out and I first knew I was burned when I cried because I'd lost the keys to the roof rack on the car. Keys it took 10mins on Google and £10 to replace.

I sobbed at how useless I was and tore the house apart looking for them.

When your stress response is out of proportion to the situation, it is a powerful clue that your current stress levels are beyond what you can cope with.

Ffor me and from that point on it, took a move halfway across the country, 8 months off work and then a new job that was half the stress (and half the salary!) of the old one and about 3 more years of peaceful living before I felt I could handle the world with the same competence I had previously had.

Hopefully it doesn't take this much for you - but please listen to what your body and brain are trying to tell you.

Thank you. This is exactly it. Sent a deluge of messages to DH about how I am useless at everything and will just have to be fat and useless forever. And so on and so on.

In 13 days my exam will be over and I'm hoping I can get back on an even keel, but need to start practising some real self care.

OP posts:
ChipButtiesRule · 08/11/2023 15:43

Self care is really important.

For a long time there I had to be super strict with myself about a few things:

  1. I would not speak to myself in ways I would not speak to a friend. I would never tell a friend they were fat and useless and so I was 'banned' from thinking or speaking abiout myself in that way.
  2. I would not allow my stresses into the bedroom with me at night. I actually pictured them a messy ball type monster and when I started thinking about them I would visualise sending them out of the room and shutting the door behind them. They would wait until morning.
  3. I made myself walk every day. 30 mins at least, outside and that walk involved music or listening to an audiobook so I didn't use it as worry time.
  4. I used the Calm app every night, 10-15 mins meditation when it was time to sleep to bring my heart rate down, quiet my mind and help me drift off.
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