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Chronic fatigue i.e. exhaustion
Common symptoms of prolonged fatigue include a feeling of powerlessness, sleep disorders and difficulty concentrating. Consult a doctor if fatigue persists and starts to interfere with daily activities or if it does not improve with rest.
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Chronic fatigue i.e. exhaustion in brief
- Exhaustion is a condition in which a person experiences prolonged or severe fatigue and weakness and does not recover despite rest.
- It can be caused by physical or psychological stress and, if prolonged, can become serious exhaustion.
- The treatment includes prioritising sleep, stress management, light physical exercise, antidepressant medication and psychotherapy, if necessary.
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What is exhaustion?
Exhaustion and fatigue refer to a prolonged or intense state of tiredness, accompanied by a feeling of powerlessness. A person suffering from exhaustion cannot recover even if they have the opportunity to rest. Fatigue can be caused by physical or psychological stress and effort. In addition to not sleeping, many organic diseases or mental stress can cause fatigue. Chronic fatigue can easily develop into exhaustion, a condition that has to be taken seriously.
- Burnout A disorder that develops as a result of prolonged work stress and can manifest itself as severe generalised fatigue, cynicism and a decrease in professional self-esteem.
- Studies-related burnout In young students, severe fatigue is often caused by pressures related to studying and adulthood, which manifests as fatigue, cynicism and a feeling of inadequacy.
Sometimes a person can also become tired and exhausted because they have too much free time, for example as a result of unemployment, when meaningful activities are lacking and their own life does not feel meaningful.
When to seek treatment due to prolonged fatigue?
Fatigue, exhaustion and depression are signs of a stressful state in the body, in which case it is important to stop and deal with your own concerns. Many people seek help only when they have used up all their resources. The sooner you seek help, the easier it is to break the vicious cycle of exhaustion. If a person feels tired and depressed from one week to the next, even if they get enough sleep, they should see a doctor.
Fatigue can be caused by, for example:
- Organic diseases that may cause fatigue include anaemia, diabetes and thyroid gland diseases.
- Psychological stress, such as sadness, anxiety or depression.
How to prevent exhaustion?
- Prioritisation of sleep Getting enough sleep is key to preventing and treating exhaustion and fatigue. Refreshed and rested people have more resources to cope with both everyday challenges and the more difficult phases of life. It is important to set yourself a bedtime and calm down your mind well before bed without smart devices.
- Stress management People often have difficulty recognising when they are under too much stress. As resources diminish, they may perform even more. It is important to learn to prioritise rest and settle for things being good, even if they are not perfect.
Prolonged exhaustion: chronic fatigue syndrome
Chronic fatigue syndrome, also known as long-term fatigue syndrome, is a condition in which a person experiences continuous exhaustion for more than six months. In this state of exhaustion, even small physical or psychological loads can cause severe fatigue that can last for days.
Chronic fatigue syndrome can also be associated with other symptoms, such as:
- Physical pain
- Mild fever
- Lymph node tenderness
- Problems sleeping
- Memory problems
- Symptoms of anxiety and depression
The exact cause of chronic fatigue syndrome is not known. Very light and guided physical exercise, antidepressant medication as needed and psychotherapy are recommended as treatment. The aim of these treatments is to alleviate symptoms and improve quality of life.
Other related services
First mental well-being appointment EUR 89
Take an easy first step to mental well-being services. You can make an appointment quickly – without a referral.
Kela-reimbursed rehabilitative psychotherapy
Psychotherapy service based on a psychiatrist’s assessment and granted by Kela for maintaining and rebuilding working and studying ability.
Psychotherapist
Provides treatment based on discussion and functional methods, which aims to improve mental well-being.
Frequently asked questions about exhaustion
Exhaustion refers to intense or prolonged fatigue that involves weakness. A person suffering from exhaustion cannot recover even if they have the opportunity to rest. Work-related exhaustion or a burnout can make a person incapable of performing their work, whereas studies-related exhaustion can disrupt a person’s studies. Exhaustion can also be caused by a person having too much idle time when their own life does not feel meaningful.
Exhaustion feels like intense fatigue and weakness, from which you do not recover with rest. It can also manifest itself as cynicism and a feeling of inadequacy.
You can recognise exhaustion by prolonged fatigue that does not improve with rest. In chronic fatigue syndrome, even a small amount of physical or psychological stress causes severe fatigue, which can last for days. Symptoms may also include pain, low-grade fever, lymph node tenderness, sleep disturbances, memory problems, anxiety and depression.
Exhaustion can be caused by physical or psychological stress, organ disorders such as anaemia, diabetes or thyroid dysfunction, or mental stress. Sadness, anxiety or depression can also cause fatigue. Pressures related to studying and adulthood can cause studying exhaustion in young people.
Constant fatigue can be caused by many things, such as physical or psychological stress, organ diseases or mental stress. If fatigue persists and starts to interfere with daily activities, it is recommended to see a doctor.
Studies-related burnout is severe fatigue associated with the pressures of studying and adulthood. It manifests itself in particular as fatigue, cynicism and a feeling of inadequacy related to studying. Studies-related burnout can be caused by striving for top performance, an uncertain future and learning new skills through independence. In addition, pressures caused by social media can increase exhaustion among young people. In Finland, up to one in ten students suffer from studying exhaustion.
