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Friday, February 06, 2009 clogue asks

Q: Can anxiety cause decreased energy to the point of being unable to do tasks?

I always feel tired and lack-luster. I have been diagnosed with depression and on medication for many years. I get severely depressed at times and often need med adjustment to defeat this. I feel sad these days partially I think because of winter weather but there seems to be something else. I am remembering all the bad things that ever happened to me or that I caused to others. My memory for other things is very poor. But the neurologist says I tested normal. Still having the same problems with STM, confusion, getting lost, having to search for words and slubing my speech. Is anxiety part of my problem with getting things done? I have heard that it can be crippling at times. Maybe I am just lazy? I don't feel the pain of the major depressive episodes I'vehad in the past. I still like to talk with friends and visit or go out with them. And no one seems to notice any difference in my behavoir.  Even my psychiatrist says I am not depressed. How can I get myself movin' to do chores, errands and things that surely need to be done? I come up with plans but never execute them. I don't knowwhat my problem is. I have the same interests as ever but I just slump around if I am on my own and unstructured. I am concerned because this affects my family life. I have a wonderful husband and two beautiful children and I want to do my part. I am disabled and do not work. I need help with cleaning but I am able to prepare meals. Trouble is, now I feel the need to sleep at dinnertime and sometimes I need my husband to prepare the meal or if I am able, I will get dinner ready for the family and go to bed without eating. Sometimes I will cancel things just do to fatigue. I do not plan to be out late because i may be sleepy and need to go home.I often wear my pajamas till noon or maybe all day. This may be contagous because the rest of my family is doing this also on their days off.Coffee and Pepsi only go so far.Please tell me what's goin' on here if you can and how to deal with it. Thank you. cmlogue@verizon.net

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2/ 7/09 9:47am

What you have described so thoroughly does not sound like anxiety. Anxiety can be "crippling" and lead people to do very little but the reason is a whole host of fears that make normal activities seem impossible. It isn't clear whether you are in any type of ongoing psychotherapy to complement the medications you are taking. If you aren't you may want to consider doing so. If your psychiatrist doesn't believe that you are depressed then I would be inquiring about what he does believe is going on with you. This would be where the psychotherapy would play a role. A very thorough assessment is really needed to help you find the answer to what is going on.

 

Rick Wirtz

 

Rick Wirtz is a Psychologist, not a psychiatrist or medical doctor. Although the majority of Psychologists are not authorized to prescribe medications or give you specific advice about them, they typically have experience working with patients who take a variety of medications. The response above is not intended to diagnose or treat any medical or mental disorder. Any information given in a post about medication is for educational purposes only and primarily to aid you in having an informed discussion with your own physician.

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By clogue— Last Modified: 12/26/10, First Published: 02/06/09