Half of all people with long-term illness are suffering from mental health problems. And the most common cause is stress. If you’re stressed for a longer period with no real opportunity to recover, you’re at risk of developing exhaustion disorder, a condition that can take a long time to recover from, so the warning signs should be taken seriously.
Exhaustion disorder is a state of profound physical and mental exhaustion caused by prolonged stress without sufficient recovery. Exhaustion disorder can be described in three phases.
You might have physical and psychological problems, such as difficulty concentrating, a sense of panic, tension and pain in your neck and back, or other stress symptoms, but can still function in your daily life. You struggle to handle a number of stressors that have built up at work or home. Your sleep is often restless, light and too short. Tiredness, forgetfulness and all other symptoms come on slowly and increase gradually. Rest, leisure, friends and interests are perhaps no longer prioritized. The more tired and unfocused you feel, the more you’re forced to make an effort and triple-check that you’ve not forgotten anything.
For many, the symptoms themselves can be a cause for concern and become an additional stressor. During the risk phase, it’s common to seek medical attention for several isolated symptoms. These could include recurring infections, muscle pain, sleeping problems and other things that you don’t directly associate with too much stress. However, once the connection is understood, many people change their lifestyle.
If the situation continues, things may worsen and become acute. This often happens quickly and suddenly, a bit like hitting a brick wall. The acute phase can last for a few weeks. You might find it impossible to get out of bed, think clearly or concentrate. Your ability to multitask is also lost. You may have feelings of desperation and panic, which can be misinterpreted as an anxiety disorder or depression.
When you eventually get back on your feet, you may still be extremely tired and sensitive to stress and have difficulties with your concentration and memory. As your recovery continues, your ability to function normally in everyday life gradually improves. However, exhaustion disorder often results in increased stress sensitivity, even after the other symptoms have faded.
If you get the right help in good time and have the necessary reserves to recuperate, you’ll often make a full recovery and be essentially symptom-free. The most common pattern during recovery is for your physical energy to return first, while problems with memory and concentration and sensitivity to stress and demands take longer to recover from. Most people who suffer severe exhaustion improve significantly over time, although they may continue to experience symptoms to varying degrees for many years.
In most cases of stress-induced illness, the cause is a bad work environment. There’s often an imbalance between expectations and resources, such as for those working in healthcare, education and social care.
Most of the time, those affected aren’t the ones other people thought would get sick. They’re often committed to and good at their jobs, take great responsibility for their families and put the needs of others first. Eighty percent of those affected are women.
According to the Swedish Social Insurance Agency, a lack of control over your work situation combined with a lack of social support, recognition and appreciation significantly increase the risk of stress-related sick leave.
It’s important to pay attention to your body’s warning signs and seek help in good time. If you’re at risk of stress-related ill health, you should seek help from your healthcare centre or occupational health service. A doctor will perform a physical examination and let you describe your symptoms. Blood tests are often taken to rule out other illnesses.
Most people with exhaustion disorder recover, although it can take a long time and leave you with increased stress sensitivity. This means that there’s also a relapse risk. You may need to reduce your workload or take sick leave to give yourself a chance to recuperate. Relaxation exercises, physical exercise and decent sleep can help, as can lowering your expectations, making time for friends and family and doing things you enjoy.
Treatment can include talking therapy and physiotherapy, wherein you practise recognizing signs of stress from your body while being given tools to understand and manage that stress.
Reviewed by: Walter Osika, associate professor, Director of the Center for Social Sustainability, Karolinska Institutet. Specialist in internal medicine, cardiology and psychiatry, consultant physician, Region Stockholm.
Last edited 2024-01-09