Can Stress / Anxiety cause Fatigue?

Hi I have posted before but never really heard much from people so I need some answers. I have IBS, I am 18 years old and have had such a hard time getting use to it. I have been so stressed over the last 5 months with stressing and worrying daily. I remember when I first started getting stressed I felt tired but I was able to come with it. I am now into December and my tiredness has got worse. My eyes are heavy all the time, I feel unrefreshed, I feel awful. I find it hard going without 10 minutes without yawning.

I have had blood tests, stool tests, urine you name it I have had it. I am waiting in a colonscopy though. ( Check the bowels ) because I have been concerned. I just don't understand why I am so tired and feel like I never sleep when I do.

I was wondering after being stressed / worried for months can your body just give up and be tired all the time / fatigue because of being stressed a lot? There is days were I don't think about it and I am still tired. So its making me question myself if its stress or anxiety or something else.

I have been speaking to my doctor a lot about it and he doesn't think its serious but this fatigue has got worse and I am starting to panic. I am getting my last tests in Feb. I will know for sure then if there is something serious or not.

I am just feeling awful. I got my eyes checked by the eye doctor had all tests with him. He said my eyes were good but he did ask if I had any allergy's? He said I had bags under my eyes and he said it could be because I have an allergy.

I have yet to speak to my doctor about getting those tests. I just feel drained. I am more IBS-C than D now so I don't get the tiredness.

If anyone can help or has any answers or advice it would be a lot to me.

Hi oslooskar, I toss and turn all the time during the night. I always do it now but I don't think about anything during the night?

Is this the reason maybe why I am having fatigue?

I had bloods and everything done. Everything was normal including iron levels etc.

Scaredy Cat said...
Hi New1234 and welcome to the A/P.:)

I am so sorry that I missed your post yesterday! We had so many new ones, that it just slipped past me and I apologize...I meant to welcome you and answer.:(

Anxiety can most definitely cause fatigue. When your mind and body are under stress, all of you systems are being taxed and it results is being tired.

Add that to the fact that IBS can also cause fatigue, and of course you are not sleeping well...it makes sense.

Try not to let your mind wader into the 'what ifs' and to thinking that there must be another more serious reason for your lack of energy, because this is very explainable.

Instead focus on getting a better night's sleep. You could ask your doctor about a sleep aid med...or try some of these natural ideas:

*Melatonin (suppliment)
*L-Theanine with GABA (suppliment)
*cutting out caffeine/electronics several hours before bed
*exercise/workout (but not right before bedtime)
*breathing/progressive muscle relaxation exercises/yoga/meditation before bed
*white noise sound

I wish you the best in getting the rest that you need...and encourage you to post with us anytime!

Scaredy Cat

Hello Scaredy cat,

Thank you for your reply. I have been feeling very bad tiredness for a few weeks now it's got to the point that I am feeling hard to get through the day.

I have my doctor calling on Friday so hopefully I will get to speak to him about it more. Yes my sleep is not the best.

I just want to feel a lot better. I have had all these tests and nothing showed so hopefully this is what it is causing it.

Thank you for your reply

If anyone has more advice or info please feel free to post and let me know. Thanks.

New1234,

Is there a chance that you are dehydrated...or that your electrolytes are low due to the IBS? I guess that would be more likely if you had 'D' than 'C'...but I think that any bowel disorder can cause an imbalance in the system.

The digestive system has a major effect on our overall well being, so if you can do your best to treat the IBS, I am betting that the fatigue will decrease.

Have you sought advice in our IBS forum? What did they say?

S.C.