Do you wake up each morning feeling absolutely exhausted? Your body is heavy, your mind is foggy, and the daily tasks ahead of you seem like impossible challenges.
For many living with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and complex post-traumatic stress disorder (C-PTSD), this all-encompassing exhaustion is a daily reality. Even worse, fatigue is an often overlooked component of PTSD. When unaddressed, it can harm your mental and physical health.
PTSD develops after witnessing or experiencing a traumatic event, whereas C-PTSD arises from prolonged exposure to trauma–such as childhood or domestic abuse. Both forms have profound impacts on your life, health, and vitality.
In this post, we go beyond simple definitions and explore the detailed and overlooked connection between trauma and exhaustion. You’ll learn:
- Why PTSD causes exhaustion
- How PTSD and exhaustion harm your health
- Your next steps for treatment and relief
At Iremia Psychiatric Care, we understand how debilitating PTSD-related fatigue is, which is why we provide complete and personalized care that will help you cope with PTSD.
Can PTSD cause exhaustion? Absolutely. Let’s start the conversation on this unique and often overlooked link and get you back to fully living life.
PTSD and Complex PTSD: What’s the Difference?
PTSD is a mental health condition that occurs after one is involved in a traumatic event.¹
- PTSD occurs after an isolated traumatic event. Examples are a car accident, a physical attack, sexual assault, or a school shooting.
- Common PTSD symptoms are severe anxiety, uncontrollable thoughts, flashbacks to the event, and more.
C-PTSD, or complex PTSD, is a mental health condition that develops after prolonged exposure to trauma.²
- C-PTSD involves extended exposure to trauma–with childhood abuse, domestic abuse, captivity, and war being a few examples.
- Common C-PTSD symptoms may include all of the symptoms of PTSD, plus emotional dysregulation, relationship problems, and more.
Symptoms of PTSD and C-PTSD
Let’s take a closer look at these symptoms and how they affect your life–in ways large and small. Additional symptoms of PTSD and C-PTSD include:¹
- Flashbacks, intrusive thoughts, or nightmares
- Increased startle response
- Hypervigilance
- Emotional fatigue or numbness
- Trouble sleeping
- Physical tension
- Chronic fatigue
- Avoidance or isolation
PTSD affects your mind and your body. Mentally, you may experience anxiety and stress, plus problems with mood and cognition. The physical toll often leads to physical conditions like chronic pain and tension, a weakened immune system, and more.
We’ll dive deeper into these widespread impacts further down. But first, let’s take a closer look at the critical connection between PTSD and fatigue–and why it matters.
Understanding the Concept of Fatigue in PTSD
The Impact of Trauma on Energy Levels
When you experience trauma, you become stressed. Stress triggers your body to release two powerful hormones–cortisol and adrenaline. These stress hormones prepare your body to either “fight or flight,” which helps you respond to the traumatic event and survive it.³
Typically, this stress response is brief and decreases with time. However, some events are so powerful or prolonged that they disrupt this response. Being unable to come out of “fight or flight” and return to a secure and stable baseline brings chronic exhaustion, stress, and PTSD.
Some other ways that trauma affects energy levels include:
- Cortisol and adrenaline dysregulation: Over time, your body struggles to regulate stress hormones, leading to fatigue and burnout.
- Hypervigilance: Being constantly hyper-alert or in “fight or flight” mode drains mental and physical resources.
- Cognitive overload: Coping with trauma and the emotions that follow requires a tremendous amount of energy and often leads to exhaustion.
Sleep Disruptions and Their Role in Fatigue
Problems with sleep are a major contributing force to PTSD-related exhaustion. Individuals with either type of PTSD often experience:
- Insomnia: Due to increased anxiety, vigilance, and fear.
- Nightmares and night sweats: That disrupt sleep cycles and prevent rest.
- Poor sleep quality: Restless sleep leaves you tired and unrefreshed.
Anxiety and sleep deprivation are connected and become a vicious cycle. Anxiety leads to sleep deprivation, and a lack of sleep further worsens anxiety–making it incredibly challenging to function.
Both types of PTSD deeply impact your ability to rest, but the good news is that PTSD symptoms can be managed. Let’s learn more about how this disorder affects you.
The Emotional and Psychological Toll of PTSD Fatigue
The profound emotional burden of post-traumatic stress disorder leads to exhaustion and fatigue. Here’s how this toll adds up:
- Intrusive thoughts and flashbacks: These are often the most distressing symptoms of PTSD. Your mental energy is consumed by constant thoughts of trauma.
- Avoidance behaviors: Those with PTSD may avoid triggers such as noises or crowds to find relief, causing them to miss out on everyday life.
- Depression and anxiety: Those with PTSD are at a higher likelihood of experiencing these disorders, and both are linked to chronic stress and fatigue.
- Dissociation and numbness: Constant emotional stress accumulates and can make you feel drained, disconnected, and numb to the world around you.
The Physical Effects of PTSD-Related Fatigue
Both types of post-traumatic stress disorder affect more than just your mind. Untreated PTSD has significant physical consequences such as:
- Muscle tension: When stressed, you may clench your jaw, tense your muscles, or tense your fists. This leads to “knots” in your muscles, exhaustion, and pain.
- Headaches: Mental tension can manifest as headaches and physical pain. You may grind your teeth and clench your jaw, which worsens headaches.
- Digestive problems: Stress hormones make your body focus on surviving–not digesting! You can experience diarrhea, constipation, nausea, or abdominal discomfort.
- Chronic pain: Increased muscle tension, digestive problems, headaches, and emotional fatigue add up. When PTSD symptoms are unmanaged, physical effects can lead to severe and chronic physical pain.
PTSD and the Immune System
Do you seem to get sick all the time? Both PTSD and C-PTSD can affect your ability to fight illness. They also put you at higher risk for autoimmune disease.
- Weakened immune system: Increased stress and fatigue negatively impact your body’s ability to fight infection and illness. Your body becomes tired from constant stress and fatigue, and other physiological functions can begin to suffer.
- Autoimmune diseases: Studies show that the abnormal levels of cortisol found in those with PTSD can, over time, lead to an overactive immune system and autoimmune disorders.⁴ This link is especially strong in those who have experienced significant trauma early on in life.
PTSD and Inflammation
Inflammation can negatively impact your mind and body. Growing research shows that individuals with PTSD experience higher levels of inflammation.
- Prolonged stress can lead to increased levels of pro-inflammatory chemicals called cytokines, leading to disrupted sleep, fatigue, and accelerated aging.⁵
- Chronic inflammation makes it harder for the body to perform essential functions and repair itself, leading to persistent exhaustion.
Strategies for Managing and Coping with PTSD Fatigue
Now, let’s learn effective ways to manage and cope with PTSD symptoms so you can find peace and calm again. And remember, Iremia Psychiatric Care is here for you at each step of your journey.
Improving Sleep and Restorative Practices
Sleep is a powerful tool that can help you heal. If you’re struggling, here are some of the best ways to reduce nighttime anxiety and intrusive thoughts:
- Establish and stick to a consistent sleep routine. Many apps make this easy– Calm is one of our favorites.
- Use relaxation techniques like meditation and deep breathing.
- Limit screen time before bed.
Lifestyle Changes for Energy Management
There are a few simple yet powerful lifestyle changes you can implement today to manage your fatigue and energy levels:
- Eat a balanced diet with nutrient-rich foods to fuel your body and mind.
- Focus on gentle physical activity, such as walking, stretching, and yoga. The Yoga-Go app is a great starting place.
- Set realistic goals and expectations to avoid burnout and frustration.
Emotional and Mental Coping Strategies
Developing strong coping strategies will boost your mental health. Here are a few strategies:
- Practice mindfulness exercises to reduce stress. The Aura or Smiling Mind app offers excellent ideas and an easy way to start.
- Find a healthy way to express thoughts and emotions, such as journaling or art.
- Prioritize what’s important, reduce overstimulation, and set boundaries to protect your energy.
In addition to the strategies above, professional psychiatric care can be life-changing in managing PTSD symptoms. Iremia Psychiatric Care specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of PTSD. We provide personalized care that focuses on your well-being and provides solutions that work.
Seeking Professional Help for PTSD and Chronic Fatigue
If PTSD or C-PTSD-related exhaustion is significantly impacting your daily life, it’s time to seek assistance from a mental health professional. Here’s what you can expect:
- Therapy options: Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and exposure therapy help you process trauma, emotions, and symptoms.⁶
- Medications: Psychiatric medications are sometimes needed. Grecia will work closely with you to determine the best option. Medications can be a powerful tool to combat PTSD-related fatigue. They alleviate symptoms so your body and mind can rest, relax, and recharge. Common PTSD medications include:
- SSRIs: Sertraline, paroxetine, and fluoxetine are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors used to treat PTSD and C-PTSD.
- Prazosin: This psychiatric medication is used for nightmares and night terrors related to PTSD and C-PTSD.
Are You Battling PTSD and Exhaustion?
PTSD-related fatigue is real and deeply exhausting. The emotional and physical impacts of PTSD take a toll on your body and mind, leading to extreme fatigue–but help is available.
If you have PTSD and feel yourself constantly drained, you’re not alone. Understanding the link between PTSD and exhaustion is your first step toward recovery.
Iremia Psychiatric Care provides personalized care for PTSD, PTSD-related fatigue, and a wide range of other mental health conditions. We understand the profound impacts of this illness and are dedicated to providing personalized treatment plans that work.
We’re here for you.
Contact the experts at Iremina PC to start your journey toward healing today.
FAQ: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Why does PTSD make you so tired?
PTSD causes exhaustion because it prolongs your body’s stress response. PTSD causes hypervigilance, anxiety, disrupted sleep patterns, emotional distress, and more. This adds to extreme exhaustion, and daily tasks become overwhelming.
What are the 17 symptoms of complex PTSD?
The 17 symptoms of complex PTSD are:²
- Flashbacks
- Hyperarousal
- Sleep disturbances
- Memory lapses
- Mood swings
- Relationship problem
- Unexplained digestive problems
- Unexplained headaches
- Social withdrawal
- Substance use
- Low self-esteem
- Disoriented to self
- Negative self-image
- Depersonalization or numbness
- Chronic health conditions
- Autoimmune conditions
- Thoughts of suicide
How long does it take to recover from PTSD?
Recovery from post-traumatic stress disorder varies– no two cases or people are the same. Some see improvement in months, but others require years of treatment and support. The severity of the trauma, access to treatment, and coping strategies all play a role in recovery timeline.
References:
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder – (nih.gov)
- Complex Posttraumatic Stress Disorder – (nih.gov)
- Understanding the Stress Response – (harvard.edu)
- Association of Stress-Related Disorders With Subsequent Autoimmune Disease – (nih.gov)
- Inflammation in Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): A Review of Potential Correlates of PTSD with a Neurological Perspective – (nih.gov)
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder – (nih.gov)