I'm Always Tired and have a Lack of Motivation, what's wrong with me?

Question

My body feels healthy, I exercise (not as often as I used to), I drink about 64-96 oz of water a day, get 7-8 hours of sleep a night, take a multi-vitamin, don't eat fast food but cook my dinners. I wake up tired, and feel tired almost all day long, I don't drink coffee. Someone mentioned it may be anemia and that I should eat more red meat, so I have been doing that, not much of a difference. I don't want to live tired everyday, and the lack of motivation really is a downer, anyone have any ideas? Thanks.

Answer 1

You need to get a full medical check-up -- there are lots of things that could be causing this. I was diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome many years ago. I'm not sure if this was the right diagnosis, but I've been building my life back up since that grey, horrible time.

You may also have clinical depression. If it's possible to get some help, get some help! At least get an expert's opinion, and then you can research your options.

Things that have helped me were: exercise (at least 20 minutes a day), sunshine (at least 15 minutes a day), finding things that I love to do, forgiving myself when I can't get much done, and making SHORT lists of things to do. A long list is not much good and very overwhelming. But a short list of three things -- do-able and I feel like I accomplished something.

Flylady's website for clearing clutter also gave me some coping techniques. When you don't have much motivation, it's easy for the house to go to pot, and having to move piles of junk to find anything is a real motivation-killer.

Good luck -- and do what you can!

Answer 2

You have to go to the doctor, honey. It could be depression, as has already been said here, but it is most likely, I think, from your description, from a medical condition. Thyroid disease is a real possibility, as are some other hormonal imbalances. Auto-immune diseases can do the same thing, and make you feel worse if you exercise. Some of them are very uncommon, so be sure you get thoroughly checked for antibodies to yourself. The doctor should order a blood test to see if you are making the right amount of hormones, and should test for inflammation, and to see if you are positive for ANA antibodies, and also rule out myasthenia gravis which makes you feel really bad if you exercise. That isn't always what doctors think of first, but is a possibility. First rule out an illness that can be helped medically. If it is one of those, no matter how hard you try to think it away, its not going to work. Once you've been cleared by your doctor, then think about mental health.

Answer 3

As a lot of people have said it sounds like depression. How do you feel emotionally? I suffer from depression quite badly at times which causes the same symptoms that you have. Try focusing on doing something fun every morning when you wake up as this will drive you to get up. Also focus on what you enjoy in your life. If this doesn't work then try the doctor for some tests as to what other things could be causing it. Good luck and I hope you feel better soon.

Answer 4

Michael: You sound like a worrier, who wants to plan and control everything.!!....
Restorative sleep requires an inner happines - and perhaps you should make a greater effort to 'live in the moment' and to generally keep a shorter agenda for life. Good health - and happiness - is centred on emotional /physical balance.
Having said that, I agree with other answers that being TATT .(tired- all- the- time) CAN have medical causes, which a simple set of blood tests can eliminate - so see your primary care doctor and get them done, for peace of mind.
Contrary to the popular media, the maximum amount of water you should drink under normal circumstances is 1.5 to 2 litres per day. (You take in another litre from food). It is not clever to overload your body with excess fluid...
And there is nothing wrong with coffee, Michael - 4 cups a day are indicated by the clinical evidence as being recommended for good health!!! (Source: Oxford University's 'Bandolier' website collation of healthcare evidence). (And, for that matter, chocolate, too!!!). (So enjoy 'em!)

Answer 5

It definitely sounds like you might be depressed. Depression often causes you to feel tired and have a lack of motivation.
And regarding the anemia thing- I don't think that's really a big issue if you're a guy- Anemia is from lack of iron which usually happens to girls because of their period.

Answer 6

Perhaps you're feeling a little depressed as this can make you tired and find it hard to get motivated. This expecially happens during the winter as there's less sunlight and days are shorter. You ought to go to your doctor or something to try and get to the bottom of the problem, hope it goes OK for you :-)

Answer 7

Stress, Depression, Borderline Personality Disorder are all possible.

Not all health is physical.

If you feel those aren't factors, you just may be a person that's more sensative to food aditives. Concider trying organic food or visit your nearest natural food store or department.

Answer 8

If I were you, I would have a complete physical exam and pertinent blood tests done to see if there is a physical cause. If nothing is found, you may be depressed. At that point, ask your doctor for a referral for the best psychiatrist (preferably) or psychologist. I am leaning toward a psychiatrist, because you may need medication and a psychologist can not prescribe it. If it does point to depression, you need to address it promptly. People who receive timely treatment are far less likely to experience recurrences.

Answer 9

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Answer 10

Have you gone to a Dr. to get some blood tests done to see what vitamin you are deficit of?
That would be the first step to find out why you have no energy.