Does PTSD Cause Fatigue? Learning the Relationship between PTSD and Exhaustion.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) has become well-known due to its emotional and psychological effects. These symptoms include flashbacks, anxiety, irritability, and hypervigilance. However, another symptom that is least understood and is under-acknowledged is severe exhaustion. Most trauma survivors often question why they are always tired.
Most trauma survivors often question why they are always tired. This occurs even when they have not done much both physically and mentally. This brings to the essential question, does PTSD cause fatigue? The easy response is affirmative and the trauma-associated fatigue is exhausting, relentless as well as rooted in the way the mind and body react to stress.
Knowledge about the relationship between PTSD and the fatigue can make people realize that what they are experiencing is real, valid, and treatable. PTSD exhaustion is not just mere fatigue. It is both emotional, physical and mental exhaustion that has a major influence on everyday life.
What PTSD Does to the Body
PTSD does not only affect the mind—it affects the entire body. In the case of a traumatic event that overstimulates the nervous system, the brain may become stagnant in survival mode. Even during the absence of the threat, this mode helps the body to remain on guard, tense, and prepared to protect itself. The stress response system goes hyperactive and stress hormones like cortisol are also sustained.
As a result, individuals with PTSD often experience chronic muscle tension, disturbed digestion, hormonal disorders, loss of appetite, sleeplessness, and frequent headaches. Chronic exhaustion, however, is one of the most significant effects of PTSD on the body. It is not the type of fatigue that is gone after a nap. It is profound, protracted and exhaustive.
This is why, PTSD fatigue, PTSD tiredness, and even PTSD exhaustion are some of the most widely reported physical symptoms among the survivors of traumas.
PTSD Fatigue: An Alternative Type of Exhaustion
Not all fatigue is the same. The fatigue that accrues with PTSD is way beyond the normal fatigue that most individuals would have thought otherwise. It has been likened by many to have the feeling that their body and mind are overburdened or constantly tired out. It can be overwhelming even with the simplest of tasks like preparing a meal or having a talk.
This can be due to this level of exhaustion as the brain is always busy in the background, it is scanning to see danger, it is attempting to control intrusive thoughts and emotional stress processing. This endless self-striving burns out energy. With time, it may become chronic fatigue syndrome as a result of PTSD, which is something many survivors experience when they do not even suspect the relationship.
Others report having been incredibly fatigued after a workout and finding even moderate exercise making them feel exhausted. There are other people who develop post stress fatigue a severe energy depletion following a stressful episode or emotion activator. All these experiences lead to one thing: the body is bearing the burden of trauma, and it is tiring.
Why PTSD Causes Exhaustion
Understanding PTSD and exhaustion begins with recognizing of the impact trauma has on the nervous system.
Firstly, to begin with, PTSD disrupts sleep. Most survivors have problems with insomnia, nightmares, restless nights, or frequent waking. The body does not rest when there is no restful sleep and thus people are always exhausted.
Second, PTSD maintains hyperarousal of the body. Such a state of alertness is intended to be applied during an emergency but not during normal life. Once made constant, the nervous system is overworked, and the body gets exhausted at a much faster rate than normal.
Third, emotional stress consumes physical resources. Trauma processing is a process that requires immense emotional resources. People often feel more tired during the healing process, even when they are making progress. These are often physical signs of emotional healing, as the body releases stored stress and tension.
Lastly, long-term stress can upset emotions. This affects appetite, metabolism, energy levels, and mood. All these lead to persistent PTSD and chronic fatigue.
Post Traumatic Fatigue Syndrome: An Overview of the Condition
In spite of the fact that post traumatic fatigue syndrome is not necessarily a formal diagnosis, the symptoms manifesting in this case are well known reality in the circles of mental health professionals. It is the chronic exhaustion that is a result of trauma directly and the subsequent chronic stress.
Individuals with such form of fatigue are usually unable to concentrate, remember, be energetic and motivated. They can be physically, emotionally or mentally clouded. The daily activities can feel more difficult and post exercise recovery can be slow. The relationship between PTSD and fatigue proves to be true in the long-run.
Living with PTSD Fatigue and Recovering Our Strength
Treatment of PTSD fatigue involves treatment of both physical and emotional effects of trauma. Therapy is one of the best methods of doing so. One possible way to be less anxious, process traumatic memories and soothe a hyperactive nervous system is working with a Therapist in College Station Texas, especially a person who has been trained in trauma-focused therapy methods such as EMDR or Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. A large number of individuals say that their emotional state and the level of energy improves considerably when they start trauma therapy.
There is also the role played by sleep hygiene. Setting a regular sleep schedule, developing a calming bedtime ritual, and finding methods of calming the mind can be used to decrease at night restlessness. Others can additionally require additional assistance of a Psychiatrist Bryan, TX particularly when the sleep problem or anxiety are critical. The appropriate therapy would allow returning order to the brain and increasing both sleep and energy during the day.
Also, it is possible to exercise, but it should be done in a soft and gradual manner. Activities that can increase the physical and emotional energy without over-stressing the organism are walking, stretching, or yoga practices. Eating is also very important, healthy diet keeps the blood sugar level normal, contributes to the activity of the brain, and prevents the energy crash.
The nervous system can be relaxed with the help of deep breathing, relaxation, and mindfulness and allow the body to relax and recover. By and by, they will reduce the level of PTSD and exhaustion and allow individuals to rebuild their strength and resilience.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Chronic Fatigue: Moving Forward With Support
Recovery of PTSD does not happen instantly and exhaustion may be one of the most difficult effects of the process. However, it is by having the proper support that it is quite possible to recover your strength and self-esteem. Whether you are searching for the Best therapist in College Station or seeking help with a respected Psychiatrist Bryan, TX, you can discover that the proper mental health assistance may be an effective change.
We realize that being exhausted by trauma is physically, mentally and emotionally draining at Ballem Harmony Clinic. Our team members will give you the necessary caring attention and individualized treatment plans that will consider your experience and will assist you in putting back your life on track.
Ballem Harmony Clinic, Where healing meets compassionate care. You can always reach us at Ballem Harmony Clinic and start the process of finding the balance and restoring emotion.
Conclusion: Does PTSD Cause Fatigue
The fatigue caused by PTSD is real, powerful, and often misunderstood. But to know it is the beginning of a cure. Feeling tired is not because you are lazy, weak, or unmotivated it is a natural reaction to excessive stress and emotional traumas by the body. The response to the question of whether PTSD causes you to feel tired is a resounding yes and being aware of this fact will enable you to be more forgiving and kind to yourself.
The energy could be restored through therapy, sleep support and lifestyle change as well as emotional care and you can go on. You deserve rest. You deserve healing. And you deserve support.
Questions and Answers (FAQs)
Does PTSD result in physical exhaustion?
Yes, PTSD may cause severe physical exhaustion because of struggle with stress that is chronic, sleep deprivation, and emotional strain. Several individuals develop profound PTSD fatigue among them.
Is chronic fatigue syndrome a by-product of PTSD?
Yes, chronic fatigue syndrome is an acquired condition among many trauma survivors as a result of PTSD. The stress response mechanism is overworked and this causes fatigue in the long term.
Why does PTSD leave me feeling fatigued even when I have taken a full night sleep?
The PTSD does not allow the body to have a deep and restful sleep. Hyperarousal and stress hormones make the brain busy so that it causes PTSD fatigue.
What is post stress fatigue?
Post stress fatigue is a term used to denote the fatigue experienced following stressful experiences, emotional conflicts or triggers. It is prevalent in the victims of PTSD.
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