Why Does Being Tired Make It So Much Worse?

[Gaining-clarity]

I find that when I get tired, symptoms are exaggerated. Physical symptoms intensify - the stress in my body is painful in my neck and back. I know when I'm over tired because my muscles get so tight that I have to lie down. Sitting up can be painful. Emotional symptoms intensify - anxiety is so much worse, negative self talk is worse, depression is worse, line between past and present seems to blur. I think more and more about the past.

Then I have a 3 hour nap and all is a little brighter.

Is this something common?

 

[joylenay]

I find that when I get tired, symptoms are exaggerated. Physical symptoms intensify - the stres...

I don't know if it's common but I do it all the time. I try for earlier in the day just because of my family but anxiety makes me tired even IF I actually slept well the nigjt before and if I don't take a nap things only continue to spiral downward.

 

[joylenay]

I don't know if it's common but I do it all the time. I try for earlier in the day just because of my...

I also found out I grind my teeth all the time. I went to a special dentist who adjusted my bite and gave me a mouth guard. When I started to wear it during sleep my back and neck muscles didn't tighten up like they used to during the day causing horrible headaches. So now even when I start to feel my shoulders tightening I put the mouthguard in and it actually stops all of the tightness in my shoulders and neck.

 

[Suzetig]

I think it can be a bit chicken and egg for me - I feel tired because I'm managing my symptoms, and then tiredness means I don't have the resources to manage so well so I feel more symptomatic. I'm a firm believer in having naps and resting if I need it - listening to my body and what I need helps me keep on an even keel more easily. While I know the ups and downs are there I can ride them out better if I feel rested.

I tend too now make sure at some point I do get some rest, either by having a nap, reading a book for pleasure, sitting in the garden - whatever gives me physical and mental rest.

 

[Bloomy]

Can relate. Not only to being tired but also muscle soreness after training and such. All sorts of fatigue. Guessing its cause Im at a "weak point" and therefor more vunerable and the organic system that is allready overloaded cant cope well.

 

[Tinyflame]

Yes it does.

 

[Deleted member 541]

The only thing I find when I'm tired from a shitty nights sleep... Higher than normal anxiety. And I hurt more. Have fibro, and when I'm tired I just seem to be more stiff, and hurt more. Yes, I get it.......

 

[Gadgie]

When I get really tired from not getting enough sleep, I get agitated, short tempered and grumpy, and can't concentrate on anything?

Yet when I get, what I call PTSD tiredness, it's different, it's more like feeling latheric,/ slower and apathetic towards everything, and just be bothered to do anything.

It's a depressing kind of tiredness, does anyone else feel like that at any time, or is it just me?

 

[ladee]

You described me in every post when I am tired.
Really related to @Gadgie about being grumpy and short tempered.
I have retired this year and the first few months were spent sleeping or resting. My work was very stressful, physically demanding and exhausted from managing symptoms and staying professional. So I think I simply collapsed when I no longer had to do all of that.
Never realized how much energy it was taking to maintain symptoms. My energy level is starting to come back up and will be even more when Fall gets here.
I take naps when I am feeling tired. Don't have to push myself and have really noticed my depression is hardly present.
So, when I am overly tired, PTSD takes over my life. So naps are a vital part of my self care.

 

[EveHarrington]

I think so----

 

[Freedomfighter]

I find that when I get tired, symptoms are exaggerated. Physical symptoms intensify - the stres...

I think that applies to people that don't have PTSD too, it is just a way for the brain to relax. I find that triggers make me more tired but that is probably normal for a person with PTSD.

 

[Naoru]

If you've ever been around tired little kids, you'll see that what you've described is pretty common with everyone - irritation, difficulty going to sleep, emotional spells, physical pain, the works all increase... but I think because those of us with PTSD are often at or over our limit already, this becomes even worse and exaggerated, especially if we've had a PTSD fun-filled day already (triggers, dissociation, etc). I think we become more susceptible to our negative coping, negative thoughts, triggers, and everything else when we're tired because our bodies are running on way too many stress hormones, but when we've rested, our bodies have recouped and emptied the stress cup a little so we feel a little better. Hope that made sense :sleep: It's amazing how much more rational and physically better I feel if I've gotten a full night's rest.