Chronic Anxiety and Exhaustion?

[Katie35801]

I've had severe anxiety for 10 years, that leaves me depressed as well, because it has ruined my life. Only thing I've ever tried (medication wise) is 20mg Prozac, which did nothing. I've tried therapy countless times. To give an example of how bad it is currently, I rarely leave home. I have a ton of stress between a crappy marriage, a jerk of an ex-husband,5 kids, no friends or family. So here is my question:
Can chronic anxiety, especially as long as I've had it, make you feel exhausted constantly/all day? I'm overweight and I emotionally eat. I have no motivation at all. Like taking a shower is a chore and leaves me exhausted. I also have a huge phobia of passing out, I think this plays into it. I worry all day, mainly about "what's wrong with me". I cry daily. I've been this severe for 1.5 years, I'm only 31, and I feel like there is not much point to living....because it isn't living....it's suffering.

[Katie35801]

Thank you guys for responding, it helps me to know it is capable of making me feel severely terrible daily!

[29sillygirl]

OK.  Let's talk.  The short answer to question in second paragraph is 'yes'.  

Unrelieved anxiety leads to depression ...the exhaustion and worry and hopeless feelings all part of the package.  


So glad you posted here.  We are all veterans of the anxiety wars, and a supportive bunch.  In my case 30+ yrs. of anxiety, finally diagnosis: agoraphobia which I have to work on daily.  Really doesn't matter what label we put on it.  When you are too anxious and exhausted to leave the house it is time to get help.

You are in  one of the most stressful times in your life.  Raising 5 children ( I raised 4 so know how it is to be home day in day out) with an unsupportive husband to boot.  Hard place to be, but you know what?  The kids will grow up and leave (well usually they do..LOL).

Husbands come and go.  So man trouble passes as well.  Hope you don't think my remarks flippant, as I  really really relate to your home situation. I was a stay at home mom, no real support from husband, who believed my place was with kids while he did whatever he pleased.  He did make a steady living for 17 yrs, then got laid off.  That is when I knew I had to make my move and I did.  But back to you.

You mention Prozac.  20 mg of drug is low dose.  It has been a wonder drug for many people, but you need to see if there isn't another that deals better with your chief symptom which is anxiety. Please reach out to doctor for help with medicines.

I have experienced the exact same shower fatigue/avoidance thing as well as emotional eating.  Have to fight it each day: it returned  after a recent family tragedy.  Oh, also, I used to be afraid of passing out in public....well, it happened after my son's memorial service, along with vomiting in front of strangers.  But here I am: people are incredibly kind to a person in obvious distress.  

Here is the thing.  Medicine is essential, but we cannot tell you there is a magic pill that will cure you. I know others will agree that the first thing we would hope you could do is see a doctor: then therapy; then baby steps back into the world.

At 31 you have alot of life left and it can be good.  Ruminating all day is not going to do anything but make you more anxious and depressed.  And isolated.  That is not healthy.

You reached out to us: do call a doctor.  Keep posting.

[Paxiled]

This is your depression.  Some people have anxiety without depression, but you have both, and what you're describing is the depression part.