The Age of Tired-ness

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For many, many years, now, I have thought there should be a study done, on the age of tired-ness. I can remember being 18 and feeling like I should've been at least 40, because I was so tired of fighting my ASD symptoms, all-the-time; and thinking, at any moment, that I was going to run-out of steam. Then, when I hit 40, I felt like I was, at least, 80.....

Now, I feel like I'm about 70, sometimes (I'm 53); so, I'm thinking, surely, there will be a time when the age of my tired-ness, meets my physical age. (I'm speaking of mental {or, emotional} tired-ness.)

Anybody, else?

Nobody? Nobody, let's say, who works, or goes to school, feels absolutely exhausted, everyday----or, most of the time----and, doesn't that make you feel old (as in, worn-out)?

I felt exhausted as if I were sick for the past few years when waking up. It was as if I had to lift an iron sheet off me to get out of bed. After taking vitamin D, C and creatine, as well as exercising, my problems cleared up and now I only feel tiredness as I used to. The first time I woke feeling normal was fabulous. I instantly told my mum that I no longer felt the crushing fatigue. I suspect that it was the vitamin D supplements that I am still taking, but creatine may have had an affect too.

I think causes of inexplicable fatigue are usually lifestyle faults, whether that be the standard issue of sedentary lifestyle (poor diet + lack of exercise), or a lack of sleep and too much stress. Too much activity also imbalances lifestyle, and in the case of an autistic person the threshold for social and outdoor activity seems to be lower due to sensory issues and conscious navigation.

If the cause of fatigue is not a nutritional imbalance, a lack of exercise or sleep, or a mentally stressful situation, I can only really think conditions/disorders causing such problems.

Sorry for not noticing this topic earlier, I would have replied. I think I can relate to what you wrote.

I was diagnosed with Asperger's only 1.5 years ago or so, but for the past 15 years I have become extremely tired of dealing with OCD. Fortunately, the situation has improved substantially over the past year and I don't want to complain about it more than I already did here, but yes, regularly I feel worn-out indeed, like by this age I have already used all the energy that was allowed to me for a lifetime.

Often when I think about this, Poe's short story "The Man That Was Used Up" comes to my mind. Being American, I presume you know it? Poe is one of my favorite authors, but that is a different matter of course.

I can somewhat relate to that feeling.

I have an all-or-nothing battle with my OCD. That is, I go through with a load of compulsions in response to my obsessions, or I do nothing at all and fall into a rut. I haven't being able to moderate this and while not exhausting (because I often choose the nothing), is severely hampering my enjoyment in life.

when I gave up wheat my sleep got a lot better.

Also I was on paxil which made me tired all the time.

I think the fact that you are able to choose "the nothing" may be a good thing. Apparently you are sometimes capable of resisting your compulsions. This is an important part of getting better.

For me, improvement came only when I went to a specialised psychiatric department of a public hospital, where I encountered a psychologist who also diagnosed me with Asperger's. From that moment on, it became apparent to me that the treatment of OCD in patients that also have Asperger's differs in a number of subtle ways from the standard treatment. For example, where in typical CBT settings it is attempted to reduce the patient's rigidity, she managed to let me use this rigidity to my advantage. I'm not at all "cured", but I'm doing better.

Of course I don't know whether you would like to receive treatment for your OCD, nor am I familiar with the facilities in Austrialia. If you would, then I recommend that you find a medical department with both (clinical) psychologists and psychiatrists that are specialised in OCD and familiar with autism. In my opinion, "general" mental health facilities are not sufficiently well equipped for this. Feel free to contact me if necessary or desired.

I know OF Poe----he died, and is buried, here, in Baltimore (I've always wanted to go to his museum, here)----but, unfortunately, I don't know anything, really, about his work.

Thanks for the reply.

I actually don't have autism, I have autistic traits but would not consider myself BAP. Just to clarify, I meant by 'choosing nothing' that I avoid everything that sparks my obsessions. For example, symmetry/orderliness/exactness has been my worst category(?) of obsessions for years, and to prevent the associated compulsions I can't do a lot of things without great distress - I can't organize my computer files, can't create anything where what I refer to as 'logical consistencies' exist (i.e. coding an application, I get stuck when I can't order lines of code based on multiple properties), have to put little effort in to work as if I do not care at all, and avoid cleaning, and washing myself - and that in itself is a horrible contradiction, because I hate feeling dirty, yet that's how I usually end up for days, maybe even a week and a bit unless I am forced to wash because I must go out.

Among others, cleaning myself takes a tremendously long time because I follow a routine, usually spending over an hour to ensure that I am in pristine condition. I don't do this for appearance, or other social purposes, it is all to 'decontaminate' myself - as stereotypical as that is of OCD. According to my doctor I have associated 'olfactory reference syndrome', but I'm unsure myself if that is only extreme social anxiety, rather than OCD.

It also frustrates me that when I do not follow my compulsions, I involuntarily start acting out with phonic tics, and that has waxed and waned throughout my life since I was around 10-11. No idea why it happens.

There is a lot more (as I am sure you would be familiar with), and it all sounds like a bunch of crap and as if I need excuses. I have tried using the methods of CBT on myself and it has actually worked in the past, but no longer, as I have developed more depth with the obsessions I have always had.

So in that sense, I can definitely relate to the exhaustion, but I don't feel a physical exhaustion, or maybe that's just at the moment because I'm doing 'nothing' again. I'm unsure if the OP has OCD but it really does take the toll mentally.

I can recommend it. I like his descriptive English language so much. With museums I know how it seems to be: The closer one is to one, the less likely one is to visit.

Cat, I had read your original post earlier but it took me this long to respond because I actually pondered about the concept for a bit. It's actually a pretty interesting concept. I think I need to ponder on it some more!

I seem to have the opposite in that I feel energized and good when I have lots of things to do and running around from one to another or doing something intense on computer to meet deadlines, it's like my brain enjoys this stress and pressure even though I do feel stressed out, but also good, my brain feels super clear during these times, and I feel like I can only reach my potential in intellectual functioning during these times.

It is when I have little to do and lack direction that I feel tired, and eberrything bothers me more, and my brain doesn't work nearly as well as it does in normal moderate times and really bad compared to stressful intense times.

I was struck by this sentence. I have known times where I would purposely try to complete a task in a mediocre fashion, because if I would do it to the maximum of my capacities, I would find myself struggling with OCD. (In my case, mostly of the "pure-O" type.) It is debilitating.

Thank you for clarifying yourself. I now understand that what you meant is actually avoidance and not the resistance of compulsions. Your difficulties seem to be quite severe. If you would like to discuss at any time, please feel free to message me. For now, I will not comment on OCD anymore in this topic, because I already feel that I have hijacked it a little bit.

I hate being tired and exhausted.
I also have insomnia on top of it.

bleh... It must be nice to feel rested in the morning.

No, I don't have OCD----that's one of so few, it seems like, that escaped me. I've always really felt for people who have it, because I've always thought it would be extremely exhausting.



Yeah, reading some of his things, is definitely on my "things to do before I die" list (A.K.A "Bucket List").



That's quite alright, skibum. There have been posts that I've wanted to respond to, as well; but, just didn't have the energy, or whatever, to address it, properly.



Oh, yeah----I get what you're saying about dealing with alot of "things"----but, it's dealing with alot of PEOPLE that gets me so exhausted. I work better under pressure, as well!

Yep, I totally get what you're saying about "down time", and that everything bothers you more, as well. For instance, when it's quiet for too long, then it makes it that much more distressing, when there IS noise. Also, for ME, it's that old thing about inertia----you know, "what's at rest, STAYS at rest"! ! LOL



Wow!! I've actually done this, TOO!! I thought it was just because I'm a bit of a perfectionist, and I knew if I spent too much time on something, that I could just get outta control!! I've since curbed it, but it wasn't easy----and, I TOTALLY understand how it could be debilitating!!



Oh, MAN----that IS a bad combination----I really feel for ya!!

Which of your ASD characteristics are hardest to fight?

Perhaps finding lenience for those in particular would allow you more energy for other things.

Or maybe you should take a vacation and go out campin' (get it?).