tired all the time...

I am so incredibly exhausted all the time. It doesn't seem to matter how much sleep I get. I've been waking up in the morning feeling almost like I haven't slept at all, even though I've gotten 9 hours or so. My mood hasn't been too bad these last few weeks... but my frustration about my energy level is bringing me down. I'm also a bit worried that I'm going into my winter hibernation/worsening depression mode earlier than usual this year.

I've been working on managing my time better on my days off (I'm working a little over half-time right now)... I bought a day planner yesterday, and had good intentions of getting to most of the things I had written in for today. I did a few of them: went to therapy, went for a long-ish walk, applied for 3 jobs. But, I just had to lie down a few times and rest. I ended up, once again, not getting to some really important stuff that I've been neglecting.

I'm taking meds for depression, thryroid meds, Vitamin D and iron (they both were low last time I checked them), and am using my light therapy box. I've been trying to get some exercise in every day. I'm not sure what else I can do.
I'm wondering what has helped other people in dealing with the low energy part of depression...

dear Garden Gal, i have been using a new'ish technology for about 5 yrs and it has made a world of difference in the depth of my depression. it's called CenterPointe auditory therapy,,, where i listen to a CD with stereo earphones for an hour a day, every day. it increases in strength every 6 months or so, and helps the brain reconnect the two sides by regrowing new nerve connections,, i know it sounds hard to believe, but it is frequently a complete cure for depression , if used rigorously for the full length of time (6 yrs). it's about $50/month average. you can find it on the web at CenterPointeResearchInst.com i know the site looks like a hoax, but i know several other people who have had the same results i have. i hope you find something that works,, Gus

Wow Garden Gal, these are all really hard things, it's understandable to be so tired after all of them!
I can really relate. I know just what you mean about being super exhausted all the time. IMO this is depression. I have found I can't even nap. For me, it isn't so much tiredness, but listlessness. On bad days I can't seem to climb stairs, have to keep sitting down and feel achy and awful - like I'm 80 years old. On these days, in addition to what I usually take for depression I add advil and I increase my caffeine intake. I know it isn't the best remedy, but it works a little for me. Caffeine is the only thing I have found that makes me marginally happy... part of it is just the ritual. I think therapy itself is truly exhausting. It means dealing with a lot of emotional stuff that might even remain subsconcious. Keep doing the healing things. Give yourself time to rest... and try to let yourself off the hook a little bit? It is not your fault.

E

Garden Gal,
You describe depression perfectly. No energy..., I am slowly improving with my sleep down to 10 hrs a night and 1/2 to 3 hours of napping during the day.
I am currently in a downturn of the depression, normal pattern from what I have been told. So I am just trying to go day to day.

The more I try to fight the tired, I use up any energy that I may of had to keep me on top of things.
During these days I often am planning on my bedtime before I get out of bed. That is tired!
Or as I learning to say- there is time and space for everything I need- and sometime it is what it is-
Besides being more compassionate with myself, I plan something for every day to get me out of the house at least 2 weeks in advance, my friends know that if I say that it is not possible they understand. It may not help you, but you are not alone in wanting to have normal energy.

I'm not only tired. I'm sad and tired of doing things wrong.

Somebody needs to invent that time machiene so I can go back and make those different choices. I'll make better ones.

Oh yeah, I know exactly that feeling of being tired and having no energy. I've learnt that I have to have a very specific focus or a reason to keep on going otherwise pointlessness just overwhelms me. For instance, right now I am studying for a music grade and that gives me energy each day because I'd really like to pass, you know? I also make sure I have 1 or 2 nights a week that are special (for me, I have a take out meal and a couple of beers!) so that I have something to look forward to.

Having something to work towards and something to look forward to. Those 2 things together work for me.

Lots of love to you

Thanks, everyone! I am just feeling so frustrated and stuck right now. Like, I have a 3 day weekend, and I desperately need to get some things done. But, I'm so exhausted that it is so hard to do even basic things. I'm scheduled to work 6 out of 7 days next week... I'm not sure how I'm going to get through that... I guess I'll survive it somehow. I know in my head that I don't have to let my physical tiredness bring me down emotionally, but I'm starting to get really discouraged. I just had a full-blown depressive episode in August, and I've been feeling a little better the last month. I really hope I'm not starting to slide back down that hill again.