Overwhelmed or ill?

Last week I got sick. I don't know if it was a genuine infection or a reaction to being constantly stressed, anxious and overwhelmed recently or just my body's way of slowing me. I thought it was a tummy bug, but about 5 hours after it started my legs got so weak and shaky that I could barely walk, and it stayed like that for the better part of a week. I was SO exhausted that I couldn't find the energy to get out of bed, or read, or go on social media or even eat that much. It was a real effort to even get to the toilet. I felt constantly weepy and found anyone near me too much. It was several days before I had enough energy to shower or get dressed or even just watch a movie.

Anyway, I have started feeling better this week and today I had to start taking the kids to appointments and it was so overwhelming. I haven't felt that bombarded in such a relatively normal situation for a LONG time. All the sounds around me became so unbearable that I started to feel hot and dizzy, and when someone came over for a chat I had real trouble making out what they were saying to me and felt like I took forever to work out how to reply. I desperately wanted to leave (or cry) for the entire time. By the time I got home I was really shaken and utterly spent.

Does anyone else get this? What is it? What's happened? Am I feeling so overwhelmed because I was ill or was I ill because I was already overwhelmed?

Parents
  • I’m so sorry - that sounds like a horrible experience for you. Whatever the cause two things strike me: firstly that you’re starting to feel a little better than you were in the earl6 days of this - which is a very good sign indeed (ie you’re physically getting better). And secondly that I think you need to take it as easy as you can in order for your body and mind to rest and recover. Call on any support you can to help you to be able to get as much rest and relaxation as you can. It’s most likely that yo7 just had a virus or something and need time to get over that. If you don’t improve after a week or two you could ask your GP for advice - but as long as you continue to get better I don’t think you need to worry. Give your body time to heal. 

Reply
  • I’m so sorry - that sounds like a horrible experience for you. Whatever the cause two things strike me: firstly that you’re starting to feel a little better than you were in the earl6 days of this - which is a very good sign indeed (ie you’re physically getting better). And secondly that I think you need to take it as easy as you can in order for your body and mind to rest and recover. Call on any support you can to help you to be able to get as much rest and relaxation as you can. It’s most likely that yo7 just had a virus or something and need time to get over that. If you don’t improve after a week or two you could ask your GP for advice - but as long as you continue to get better I don’t think you need to worry. Give your body time to heal. 

Children
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