Feel shaky, exhausted, unable to do anything after working too much?

Hello out there,
I don’t write often, but I’m wondering if I’m not alone in this feeling. I work too much. I’m hard-driven, perfectionistic, and once I find that wave I ride it to the end. I put up with a lower salary job with no benefits in exchange for flexibility in my schedule. Basically my boss doesn’t care how I get it done as long as it’s done. I use my mind in my work, and do a lot of writing which I can do from home. But there are occasions in which I must be at work in person at set times, meeting with people or serving people. I’ve been under a lot of stress, as I’m trying to help save my nonprofit company from shutting down. No vacation in 2 years. Paycuts. Hours cut but I still work. And so for several weeks it’s been a blur. I know I’m not taking care of myself as I would like. Yesterday we had a big event where I greeted over 1600 visitors over the course of 8 hours. Today I can’t function! This is my one day off before the race starts again tomorrow. I wanted to trim the shrubs, go for a walk, do yoga, clean my office, all sorts of things. Instead I wake up as a trembling mess. My mind has imaginary lightning bolts shooting out of it in every direction. I can’t hold down a thought long enough to hold a conversation. My heart is racing. It’s like I am petrified; I can’t move. Can anyone relate? Thanks

Hi babs.superbird

I completely relate to your post. In fact, I started a thread similar to yours a few weeks ago. It's gotten so I feel shaky, exhausted and not able to do anything except lie down when I do one simple chore or take a walk for 15 minutes. But I attribute my low stamina and associated issues to medication side effects and probably somewhat to age (I'm 57). I mean, my energy level now is definitely not what it was even when I was in my 40's.

Are you on any meds?

Hi Beth,
Thanks for your reply. I too have gotten older (51) and I’m not as physically active as I used to be. I am on psych meds, 200 mg Seroquel ER at bedtime and 225 mg Effexor ER in the morning. I also take Clonopin 0..5 mg twice a day due to extreme anxiety and cPTSD. I have Bipolar I and my working style has always been extreme ups followed by crashes. But this part is fairly new. Being around crowds, or in meetings, is mentally exhausting even if I may enjoy it at the time. My therapist says it’s because I’m an introvert. Like I said I rode that wave, work hard and heavy for days. I think my mind just decided to rebel. My therapist advised me to practice getting on a better daily routine. I’m still working on that. Thanks again

Burnout is understandable for anyone. I think that for those with bipolar disorder it can even be greater, since our intensity can be so extreme.

I hope you won't be hard on yourself for needing a break. You deserve one. However, it may be a good idea to fit in at least a very small desired task versus none at all. I say that based on my own experience. When I fall too deep into such a hole, it can be quite hard to get out again. It's safer for me to just take a nap on a figurative lower shelf... midway down.

Can you treat yourself to something nice and relaxing today? Truly, you deserve it.

It seems to me that meds, especially antipsychotics, cause me to tire easily. They affect my stamina. For me, the side effects such as being off balance and blurry vision contribute to feeling fatigued.

Being an introvert definitely adds to the dysfunctional feelings.