How to Live With Chronic Anxiety & Fatigue

Chronic anxiety and fatigue generally begins at childhood and worsens with age. The causes of the disorder can vary. It can come from thunderstorms, fear of darkness, molestation and rape, fear of disappointing a parent, watching scary movies, getting lost, fear of animals, a school bully, an abusive parent and so forth. Recalling such experiences as adults can bring on a flood of emotions which can be debilitating for both the sufferer and their family members. Symptoms may include feeling tense, apprehension or dread, irritability, stress, restlessness, inability to concentrate and being unable to get adequate amounts of sleep.

Instructions

Educate yourself

• 1

  Educate yourself about chronic anxiety and fatigue disorders. Because the symptoms of chronic anxiety and fatigue vary, it is important to get all of the facts so that you can cope with and treat the disorder effectively. Identify your specific type of chronic anxiety disorder such as obsessive compulsive disorder, social anxiety disorder or phobia noting the specific symptoms for each.

• 2

  See a doctor who specializes in the treatment of chronic anxiety and fatigue disorders. Ask him about which treatments are available such as drug therapy or counseling and which ones fit your lifestyle and circumstances. There is a link between anxiety and depression so when seeking treatment, it is important to treat both problems.

• 3

  Eliminate the triggers that add stress to your life. There may be areas of your life that you can simplify perhaps by delegating certain responsibilities to other family members or co-workers or by giving them up entirely.

• 4

  Try drug therapy. There are several drugs available that treat chronic anxiety. Those with chronic fatigue syndrome may want to try a prescribed sleep aid which may help the sufferer to get a better night's sleep which in turn may relieve the feelings of fatigue during the day. A low-dose tricyclic agent may be a good option. All drugs have side effects of one or another, so it is likely that you may have to try a few different ones before finding one that works for you.

• 5

  Eat right and exercise. Exercise is a natural stress reliever and helps to release endorphins into the body which can help to calm anxiety and improve the mood. Experts agree that as little as 30 minutes a day of moderate exercise can have a dramatic effect on a person's outlook on life. However, persons with chronic fatigue have difficulty exercising due to low energy levels. Listen to your body and do not push yourself beyond your ability as this could actually aggravate the situation and cause a longer bout of fatigue. Getting proper nutrition and eliminating junk food from your diet can help you to lose unwanted pounds and feel better about yourself as well.

• 6

  Perform relaxation techniques to relieve stress. Relaxation techniques such as meditation, aromatherapy, sound therapy, visualization and controlled breathing have been shown to reduce anxiety and improve a person's overall feelings of well being. Relaxation can also help a person to get a better nights sleep which may help you not to get so fatigued during the day. These alternative treatments have been used by therapists for years.