What is mental exhaustion and how is it treated?
Mental exhaustion is not a clinical diagnosis as listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, which is the medical bible of psychiatry worldwide. It’s a colloquial term for a condition that can be called any number of things: Burnout. Stressed out. Overwhelmed. Mental fatigue. Emotionally drained.
What are the symptoms of mental exhaustion?
Symptoms of mental exhaustion can vary from person to person and often begin to show gradually, creeping up on you during periods of extreme stress. If stress continues to weigh on you, you may reach a point when you feel as though you’re in a dark hole and can’t see your way out.
What is mental health fatigue?
It refers to a general feeling of mental or psychological tiredness and lack of energy. People suffering from mental fatigue may report feeling “drained” or “zoned out” or may report an inability to concentrate on tasks. Mental health fatigue can arise from being overworked and often results in a severe lack of motivation.
Is mental exhaustion affecting your work performance?
In your professional world, mental exhaustion can make you feel discouraged about work, struggle to focus on your tasks, and prevent you from meeting your team goals – leading to even more work-related stress.
What is mental exhaustion?
What Is Mental Exhaustion? 1/15. It's kind of like physical tiredness, except it's your mind instead of your muscles. It tends to show up when you focus on a mentally tough task for a while. You might also feel this kind of brain drain if you're always on alert or stressed out.
How do you treat mental exhaustion?
Treating and coping with mental exhaustionRemove the stressor. ... Take a break. ... Relaxation techniques. ... Try to get more sleep. ... Keep a gratitude journal. ... Exercise. ... Check in with basic needs. ... Reconsider your working conditions.
What are symptoms of mental exhaustion?
Below are some of the common physical symptoms of mental exhaustion:Body exhaustion – a stressed body is always tired.Sleep issues (insomnia), which can involve bizarre dreams and nightmares.Bodily aches and pains and muscle loss that cannot get explained medically.Headaches and migraines.More items...•
How long does it take to recover from mental exhaustion?
Sometimes it is a dormant chronic stress that only results in burnout after five years, while for others it is the inevitable outcome of a period of intense and acute stress lasting several months. Once a phase of stress or overwork has turned into burnout, it takes at least 11 weeks to recover from it.
Can you be hospitalized for exhaustion?
For many of us, exhaustion is a fact of life. But for the rich and famous, it seems acute weariness can be so debilitating that it requires hospitalization and, in the case of Chicago Symphony Orchestra music director Riccardo Muti, a monthlong rest along Italy's Adriatic coast.
Is mental exhaustion a mental illness?
Mental fatigue and depression are interconnected. Fatigue is a symptom of depression and vice-versa. Depression is a mental health disorder that can have multiple causes, including stressful life events. It's characterized by a sense of hopelessness and a lack of energy to engage in daily life.
What's another word for mental exhaustion?
What is another word for mental exhaustion?nervous breakdownbreakdowncollapsecrack-upmental collapsenervous exhaustiontailspinburnoutcrackupcrisis10 more rows
Can mental exhaustion make you physically tired?
Mental exhaustion can affect physical well-being, causing a person to feel physically exhausted. Similarly, physical fatigue or chronic stress can also result in mental exhaustion.
How do you reset mentally?
To reboot your brain and improve your productivity remember the mental reset techniques in this tutorial:understand your daily energy levels.get enough sleep.develop a system that works for you.beautify your surroundings.have lunch with friends.exercise.play music.meditate or pray.
Can exhaustion make you sick?
Exhaustion causes a variety of symptoms, some more common than others. People suffering from a lack of sleep might feel tremors, headache, concentration problems, elevated blood pressure, achy muscles and psychosis. “Exhaustion can absolutely make someone feel nauseous and even lead to vomiting.
What Is Mental Fatigue?
Mental fatigue is also known as mental exhaustion. It refers to a general feeling of mental or psychological tiredness and lack of energy. People suffering from mental fatigue may report feeling “drained” or “zoned out” or may report an inability to concentrate on tasks.
What Can Cause Fatigue?
Mental fatigue may occur if you regularly perform tasks that take a lot of cognitive and/or emotional energy. This is especially true if you forget to schedule time for relaxation and self-care. Some other possible causes of mental health fatigue are:
Signs of Fatigue
People experiencing signs of fatigue often report feeling less alert or unable to focus properly. However, there are a number of other signs and symptoms to look out for, with some being more subtle than others. The signs of mental fatigue can also be categorized as emotional/mental, physical or behavioral.
How to Prevent Mental Fatigue
Prevention really is the best form of treatment. Simply knowing about the risks of overworking yourself and neglecting important aspects of your well-being can help you prevent future burnout. Here are a couple of additional tips for preventing mental exhaustion.
How To Treat Mental Fatigue
So you’ve checked out the signs and symptoms and you’re convinced you’re suffering from mental fatigue. What should you do next?
When To Seek Professional Help
Mental fatigue can cause severe impairments for normal functioning and a significant negative impact on quality of life. Fortunately, there are many effective ways of warding off mental fatigue symptoms, with self-care being at the core of it all.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF MENTAL EXHAUSTION?
Difficulty concentrating, irritability, mental block, loss of interest in certain activities, and change in appetite are all symptoms of mental exhaustion. Sleep problems also indicate brain fatigue.
HOW CAN YOU DEAL WITH MENTAL EXHASTION?
If you’re experiencing symptoms of mental exhaustion, it is important to get back to basics and check-in with yourself to see if you’re getting enough sleep and eating properly. Quality sleep and a balanced diet may sound obvious, but they’re super important to mental health.
MENTAL EXHAUSTION TREATMENT
Fatigue is a common complaint related to health issues. Notably, it is a symptom and not a specific disease or health condition. Many illnesses cause fatigue, and the symptoms can be physical, psychological, or a combination of both.
What are the causes of mental fatigue?
Mental fatigue is usually the result of long-term stress. When you’re continually dealing with things that activate your body’s stress response, your cortisol levels remain high. Eventually, this begins to interfere with normal body functions, such as digestion, sleep, and your immune system.
What are the symptoms of mental fatigue?
Difficulty concentrating, irritability, mental block, loss of interest in certain activities, and change in appetite are all symptoms of mental fatigue. Sleep problems also indicate brain fatigue.
How can you deal with mental fatigue?
If you’re experiencing symptoms of mental fatigue, it is important to get back to basics and check in with yourself to see if you’re getting enough sleep and eating properly. Quality sleep and a balanced diet may sound obvious, but they’re super important to mental health.
Mental Fatigue Treatment
Fatigue is a common complaint related to health issues. Notably, it is a symptom and not a specific disease or health condition. Many illnesses cause fatigue, and the symptoms can be physical, psychological, or a combination of both.
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS)
Fatigue is considered chronic when the feelings of exhaustion or lack of energy have lasted six or more months. Regardless of the cause, chronic fatigue will impact a person’s day-to-day functioning and quality of life.
What Is Mental Exhaustion?
Mental exhaustion (also known as burnout) can stem from long-term, chronic stress. It often coincides with feelings of helplessness and being trapped. You may feel like things will never change, at the same time recognizing that something has to. If you’re constantly overwhelmed with daily responsibilities, you may suffer from this condition.
Mental Exhaustion Symptoms & Signs
Mental exhaustion typically includes a combination of several symptoms. Some of these symptoms may emerge gradually. You might dismiss them for something else or ignore them completely. Others come on quickly and affect your well-being immediately.
Why Am I Mentally Exhausted?
You might be mentally exhausted if you’re working or living in a high-stress environment. Being in a high-pressure job or school program can certainly contribute to this phenomenon. Furthermore, if you lack support, healthy coping skills, and proper stress management skills, you are at an increased risk of developing unwanted symptoms.
9 Ways to Overcome Mental Exhaustion
Mental exhaustion may feel draining and frustrating, but you can learn to manage your symptoms. Early prevention and treatment are crucial. The longer you ignore the problem, the worse the issues may become.
How Therapy Can Help
Therapy can offer reassurance and appropriate tools for managing your mental exhaustion.
Final Thoughts on Mental Exhaustion
If you are struggling with mental exhaustion, you’re not alone. Many people experience this issue at some point in their lives. However, you can learn how to manage and eventually overcome your symptoms. Practicing self-care, reaching out for help, and reflecting on what needs to change are the best steps for moving forward.
How do you know if you're burning out?
In the post, “ 10 Signs You’re Burning Out — And What To Do About It ,” the author identifies physical, mental and emotional symptoms that are indicators of stress including the following: 1 Exhaustion – In addition to feeling tired all the time, exhaustion saps your energy and makes you feel that you have nothing else to give. 2 Lack of motivation – Not only do you feel that you are physically unable to keep going, but you also have no mental interest in things that are important such as family and work. 3 Negative emotions – Nothing you do matters. You become disillusioned with everything. You are pessimistic and cynical, and often you are unable to experience a sense of joy or achievement. 4 Concentration – Because everything seems overwhelming, you are unable to focus and concentrate on the various tasks at hand. This in turn leads you to feel like you are failing and the cycle of failure and stress continues. 5 Performance problems – Feeling physically, mentally and emotional exhausted leads to performance problems at work as well as with your family and other personal relationships. 6 Physical appearance and health – One of the most obvious signs of exhaustion is your physical appearance. You may have dark circles under your eyes and a pallor complexion, and your personal hygiene may be affected as well. Prolonged stress can also lead to other health issues such as digestive issues, heart disease and depression.
What is the term for a state of exhaustion caused by excessive and prolonged stress?
About Exhaustion. Burnout is a state of emotional, mental, and physical exhaustion caused by excessive and prolonged stress. The key factors here are that the stress is excessive and prolonged. If people are not able to address stress in its early stages, they are diminishing their ability to overcome it without assistance.
What are the causes of burnout?
Most people who struggle with work-related and lifestyle causes of stress also find that they have certain personality traits that can contribute to burnout including perfectionist tendencies, pessimistic view of yourself and the world, the need to be in control and a high-achieving, Type A personality.
How do you know if you are exhausted?
Performance problems – Feeling physically, mentally and emotional exhausted leads to performance problems at work as well as with your family and other personal relationships. Physical appearance and health – One of the most obvious signs of exhaustion is your physical appearance. You may have dark circles under your eyes and a pallor complexion, ...
How to reduce stress?
Learn how to manage stress. Techniques of stress reduction include deep breathing, mental imaging and focusing on one word or thought which relaxes the mind and body and can also incorporate muscle relaxation.
Why is it important to understand exhaustion?
It is important to understand about exhaustion because it can affect every aspect of your life. Without effectively dealing with exhaustion, you are putting your recovery at risk. To understand more about exhaustion, you may want to understand more about the characteristics of exhaustion, get insights on signs and symptoms ...
How to prevent relapse in recovery?
There are lifestyle changes that you can make to help you manage stress including the following: Start the day with a relaxing ritual. Adopt healthy eating, exercising and sleeping habits. Set boundaries.
What does it mean when your mind is racing?
When your mind is racing, stop and make note of it. That, in essence, is mindfulness. “Become an observer of your mind,” Kissen says. “The mind is like a monkey swinging from branch to branch. Practice directing your mind to a certain branch and anchor it there. It’s like playing a game with a child – you can redirect your mind to anything ...
What are the symptoms of being mentally exhausted?
Some physical symptoms may be present when feeling mentally exhausted: 1 Tension headaches. 2 Stomach distress. 3 Fatigue. 4 Sleep changes. 5 Increased anger or impatience. 6 Withdrawal from social connections. 7 Overuse of alcohol or drugs.
How to work from home?
When working from home, it’s easy to find yourself working all the time. Build in frequent breaks and do something relaxing, whether it’s a walk around the block, a short stint on a hobby or just sitting with your eyes closed for 15 minutes. Eat lunch in the kitchen, not at your desk. Create boundaries.
How to deal with stress when you are overwhelmed?
Simplify tasks. If you are feeling overwhelmed, break tasks into smaller pieces, and acknowledge each accomplishment. Whether it’s caring for your home, your kids, your work duties, schooling your kids while working, try to segment each into more manageable pieces. Recognize and limit your stressors.
How to deal with stress from the news?
Recognize and limit your stressors. If the news becomes too much to bear, limit your media exposure. Watch TV or go on social media just 30 minutes a day, then turn it off. If certain friends or family members trigger you, limit exposure to them as well. Ask for help.
What is the meaning of "May you live in interesting times"?
It is, however, something of a curse meant ironically – to live in interesting times is to be beset with turbulence, uncertainty and anxiety.
Does telemedicine work for mental health?
There are also many free mental health help lines and online resources, and telemedicine often works for mental health therapy, she says. Kissen adds that a couple of sessions with a CBT therapist can give you more tips and tools to help you through. "It doesn’t have to be lifelong therapy," she says.
What does it mean when you are always mentally exhausted?
Mental fatigue triggers your sympathetic nervous system. That’s your “fight or flight” mode. Anxiety is an alarm that tells you something is wrong. If you’re always mentally exhausted, you might start to feel panicked or worried all the time. That often happens alongside symptoms of depression.
How does mental fatigue affect appetite?
Mental fatigue can affect your appetite in different ways. You may snack more than normal and not pay attention to what you eat. Stress can also make you crave sugary, salty, or fatty foods. Or you may not be hungry at all.
Why is it so hard to concentrate?
Everyone’s productivity goes up and down. But mental exhaustion can make it really hard to concentrate. It also saps your motivation. You might get distracted easily or start to miss deadlines. Even small tasks may seem overwhelming.
How to avoid mental exhaustion?
It’s hard to avoid mental exhaustion completely. But you can learn to switch on your body’s natural relaxation response. You can get a massage. Or you can try meditating, yoga, or something as simple as watching a funny movie. Reach out to friends, family, or a mental health professional if you need more support.
How to do a 25 minute block?
Here’s how it works: Set a timer for 25 minutes. Focus on one task the whole time. Take a 5-minute break when the timer goes off. After the fourth 25-minute block, take a break for 15-30 minutes. Repeat until your task is done (or your workday is over). Swipe to advance.
How to get energized during a break?
There’s evidence that you may feel even more energized if you exercise during your breaks. Try some jumping jacks and stretches for a few minutes each. Or go for a 10-15 minute brisk walk.
Can mental fatigue cause a bad mood?
Mental fatigue can put you in a bad mood. You may be short-tempered or irritated, snapping at people more often. It’s harder to control your emotions when you’re mentally tapped out.
