Mental Exhaustion: Signs and Symptoms

If getting out of bed after a full night’s sleep ever seems impossible for you, you may be suffering from mental exhaustion and should seek medical attention. The demands of your job may have increased recently, a member of your family has been ill, or you simply haven’t been putting enough emphasis on taking care of yourself.

Regardless of the cause, prolonged exposure to this kind of stress can result in mental exhaustion symptoms such as the following:

• No matter how much sleep you get, you will always feel tired.
• Insufficient motivation on both the personal and professional fronts.
• Persistent feelings of being overwhelmed, anxious, or apathetic.
• Having difficulty accomplishing tasks at work.

What exactly is meant by “mental exhaustion”?

The state of mind known as mental exhaustion is characterized by feelings of extreme tiredness as well as other feelings such as apathy, cynicism, and irritability. If you have recently been exposed to long-term stress, find it difficult to focus on tasks, or lack interest in activities that you normally enjoy doing, it’s possible that you are mentally exhausted.

Similar to physical overuse injuries, mental exhaustion can frequently be traced back to prolonged physical activity. Consider, for instance, injuries caused by repetitive stress, such as carpal tunnel syndrome or tennis elbow. Instead of overworking a specific muscle group, mental and emotional exhaustion can be caused by simply putting too much mental strain on yourself.

How is it that you can be mentally exhausted?

Mental exhaustion is not only a real possibility but also one that occurs far more frequently than it should. Mental exhaustion is an unavoidable consequence of prolonged exposure to high levels of stress or prolonged experience of intense feelings.

If we don’t take the time to properly care for ourselves, our minds are going to start showing signs of mental exhaustion just like our bodies do when we overextend ourselves physically.

What are the signs that a person’s mind is completely spent?

The question now is, how can you tell if you are experiencing mental exhaustion? The symptoms of mental exhaustion can range from feeling tired when you wake up in the morning to having a profound sense of apathy regarding work, friendships, and life in general. It gives one the impression of cynicism, emptiness, an inability to focus, and even a sense that all hope is lost.

This mental exhaustion can also activate your sympathetic nervous system, which can result in feelings of panic, anxiety, and worry for the future. The symptoms of mental exhaustion can make it very challenging to function in day-to-day life.

Having said that, understanding the symptoms will assist you in facing them head-on and will teach you how to overcome mental exhaustion. The following are some of the more widespread ones:

Symptoms of mental and emotional exhaustion:

• Experiencing a loss of interest in one’s typical activities.
• An absence of motivation in both your professional and personal lives.
• A feeling that one’s life is pointless or that they are not fulfilling their potential.
• Mood swings and a tendency toward irritability.
• Having a low tolerance for other people’s antics.
• Lack of faith, skepticism, and cynicism.
• A nagging fear that something unfavorable is about to take place in one’s life.
• Having a persistent sense of being overwhelmed or stressed.
• Concerns about one’s own suicide, depression, or anxiety (if you are experiencing these, please seek professional help right away).

Symptoms of physical exhaustion that are related to mental exhaustion:

• Feelings of fatigue or exhaustion, despite having gotten enough sleep the previous night Sleeping patterns that are disrupted or otherwise altered (either too much or too little).
• Aches and pains throughout the body in addition to tense muscles.
• Alterations in one’s appetite.
• Problems with the stomach and the digestive system.
• Undiagnosed or recurrent cases of the common cold.
• The patient has either high blood pressure or heart rate irregularities.

Behavioral symptoms related to mental exhaustion:

• Inability to remain still, and difficulty relaxing.
• Inattention, forgetfulness, difficulty concentrating, and procrastination are all symptoms of this condition.
• Putting oneself in a vacuum, away from other people.
• The feeling that one is simply “going through the motions.”
• Taking out your frustrations on loved ones, friends, or coworkers.
• Attempts at self-medication through the consumption of alcoholic beverages, illicit drugs, or other substances (like video games, excessive work, or physical activity).
• Work-related exhaustion and difficulty completing assignments.
• Alterations in lifestyle that are out of character, such as increased risk-taking behavior.

Consequences of mental exhaustion.

Simply having to contend with mental exhaustion can be a challenge in and of itself. However, the adverse effects that come along with having a mentally exhausted state can make the problem even worse.

People who are mentally and emotionally spent frequently exhibit the following symptoms of exhaustion:

• Challenges faced in interpersonal connections.
• A decline in performance at work, including an increase in the number of errors made.
• Inability to comprehend difficult concepts or find solutions to difficult problems.
• A diminished sense of one’s ability to succeed.
• Experiences of disconnection and solitude are common.
• Taking more time off from work or avoiding attending social events are both options.
• Feelings of despondency or anxiety.
• Lowered resistance to the effects of stress and unfavorable emotions.
• Opportunities that were lost.
• A failure to see significant projects through to completion.
• A general decrease in happiness across all aspects of one’s life.
• Affected capacity for both short-term and long-term decision-making and planning.
• A deteriorating state of one’s physical health.

What factors contribute to exhaustion of the mind?

There are a lot of different things that can trigger mental exhaustion. However, after being under mental strain for an extended period, people typically report feeling exhausted. This is especially the case if the stressors cause an increase in the cognitive load of a person or a reduction in the resources available to them.

For instance, you might be responsible for finishing a difficult project that has a lot of moving parts and requires you to make compromises. This would call for an exceptionally high level of both project management and political savvy on your part (e.g., increased load).

Another illustration would be traveling for professional reasons. You would experience jet lag if you regularly traveled through multiple time zones (reduced resources). There are many sources of stress, many of which involve decreased resources and increased load.

The mental strain caused by traveling for work to an unfamiliar country in which one does not speak the native language is increased. When caring for a sick family member, you may need to coordinate medical care, interpret unfamiliar medical terms, and manage your emotions all at the same time.

But you may also be getting less sleep (reduced resources). Mental exhaustion can be the result of increased responsibilities and stress, combined with insufficient attention paid to one’s own needs.

When should you visit a health professional?

It’s always a good idea to consult a coach, counselor, or therapist. However, it can be challenging to ask for assistance when you’re mentally exhausted. If you encounter any of the following, get in touch with a professional right away:

• Panic attacks
• Depression
• Plans and ideas to hurt yourself or others
• Hysterical sobbing
• Repeated leaves of absence
• The potential loss of one’s job
• The inability to care for your loved ones, including children
• Disregard for personal hygiene

All of these are signs that your condition might be more severe than just mental fatigue. To start feeling better, you might require professional assistance.

Even though it might seem debilitating, mental fatigue eventually passes. You probably won’t recover from mental exhaustion in a single night. However, you can start to overcome mental fatigue and form habits to help yourself thrive once more with help and self-awareness. If you need therapy, please get in touch with our offices and speak to a counselor.