I’m so tired the caffeine no longer effects me. My ADHD issues are worse. It’s effecting work. I’m getting to work waiting to clock in and sleeping in the parking lot.
I get home and will be tired but by the time I get myself fed and everything cleaned up and the dog and cat cared for and in bed (skipping showers or washing my teeth or brushing my hair most nights) I can’t seem to fall asleep regardless of the exhaustion.
There is a light at the end of the tunnel but it’s two weeks away. And I used to work harder and longer hours. I worked in theatre and events and tech was some of the longest days for a week or two straight so I feel like I should be prepared for this. But apparently I’m out of practice or I’m no longer able to cope like I used to.
At this point whether it’s the ADHD or age making it harder no longer matters I just need tips for surviving until life lets up.
Drink plenty of water too. We’re awful for not realising how little we’ve drank.
Get your thyroid checked if you can, and rule out anemia too. Might also be a good idea to check for low vitamin D levels, that can also cause pain, fatigue, burnout, brain fog.
It may be depression with ADHD, or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome but get your thyroid checked and other things.
I just had full blood work done in August when the fatigue was starting to get very noticable. all levels considered normal.
Did they check ferritin or just how much iron is in your blood?
When I was iron deficient from a medical issue, the initial blood tests showed “normal” iron levels. I had to advocate hard to get a ferritin test, because they weren’t convinced that I “needed” it. But lo and behold, the results came back as being incredibly low. Supplementing made me feel much better almost immediately.
Surprised to find nobody has suggested exercise yet. It helps you fall asleep and gives you more energy when you’re awake.
Have you tried professional help? I mean, I’m all for us helping out each other but I suppose your issues are mental and not physical. And that is just an assumption so maybe start with a consultation with a GP.
Coffee can give you a little boost but it’s not something you can rely on in the long run.
I don’t want to scare you, but seriously, do NOT just try to push through the burnout by yourself “until life lets up” and leave it at that - I tried that, and all that happened was a break-down, and afterwards not being able to work, period, for several months. My life back then was not sustainable for my body, and it told me through burnout as a last measure to get me to stop living like that.
In recovery, I’ve also met people who went farther than me (often medication-assisted) and did themselves literal organ damage - one lady had a nearly complete shut-down of the adrenal glands, another had a series of mini-strokes due to elevated blood pressure… it gets bad.
You say there are only two weeks to go, and I wish you the best to get there in one piece. Do try exercising, avoiding screens for two hours before bed, listen to an audiobook to fall asleep, try lavender tea or something, use all the tips.
But please know that afterwards it will not necessarily be over, the exhaustion may stay or come back easily, and you really, really need to reach out to a professional, your GP or psychiatrist and look into treatment options, not just coping options.
Wish you all the best!
Thank you for the words of caution. Having been through burnout and recovery (+therapy, etc.) myself I can 100% second this. Burnout never fully leaves; I always compare it to permanent brain injury. NO JOB IS WORTH BURNING YOURSELF OUT OVER. I ended up selling my company and never regretted it. I’m in a much better place now, doing a job that is meaningful even if underpaid. And I’ve decided against working 100% again, despite the financial downside.
