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In Reply to: burn-out syndrome posted by tigress on March 24, 2004 at 00:40:23:
Given your age, I would start with a physical exam to rule out the possible impact of peri-menopause. Fluctuating or decreased levels of estrogen can indeed create a dragged-out feeling. There are other symptoms of peri-menopause that will confirm this as a condition that is contributing to your lowered vitality.
If this is the case, a decision you'll have to make is whether you want to treat it with hormone replacement therapy or just accept it as part of aging. The second option depends in part on your tolerance for feeling like crap, because if your feelings of burnout are related to peri-menopause, you're likely to feel this way for some time to come. It's also likely to come and go.
Many women develop a loss of vitality in response to life's stressors. It just comes with the territory of female physiology and the unique challenges that women deal with. Improved attention to diet, regular exercise, and a vitamin and supplement regime that includes a 100 mg. B-complex or herbal supplement like St. Johnswort may help. Also, if peri-menopause is contributing to this condition and you decide against hormone therapy, you may want to read up on diet. Certain foods and substances are thought to exacerbate the symptoms of peri-menopause.
If your "wiped out" condition doesn't respond to some pro-active wellness interventions like exercise, diet & supplements, and persists over six weeks without relief, you may want to consider being evaluated for depression. As with peri-menopause, there are other symptoms of depression that can confirm this as a cause of your lowered vitality.
In which case, you'll have to decide whether you want to take an anti-depressant medication and/or do some type of wellness recovery therapy that helps to improve coping skills. You've got a lot on your plate with being unemployed, having raised seven kids (are any still at home?), and a 23-year history of cult involvement. Just having a really good support group--people you can talk to about your concerns--could go a long way towards helping you feel more energized.
