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Amped Up Again
A MyDepressionTeam Member asked a question šŸ’­

I have to go to the movies with my nephew. I promised him once that I would go with him and he always begs me. Its almost 3:30am and I just am wide awake. I want to do things but I just dont have the strength? I feel so down most of the time still but not depressed. Im upped to 120mgs of cymbalta a day. My eating habits are pretty out of control. Most days I can stay in control and eat under 500 calories but sometimes I just binge and I feel so out of control. I know that Im not hungry that Iā€¦ read more

posted September 3, 2017
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A MyDepressionTeam Member

Hi Kaye. It's interesting that you feel amped up, but at the same time you say you have no strength. Perhaps the amped up feeling is anxiety. So you feel anxious and have no strength. Does that sound right?

Depression can certainly cause fatigue. However, it concerns me that you are only eating 500 calories a day. It sounds like your body may be starved for nutrients and calories. This would certainly sap your strength. Then when you binge, it's possible that you are not bingeing on protein, fruits, and vegetables, which your body needs, but rather on starches and sugars. So, your body gets the calories it's screaming for, but perhaps not the nutrients it also wants. This is a recipe for fatigue and low strength.

I know anxiety can cause us to eat very little, and it can also cause us to eat a lot. You do not mention if you are trying to lose weight. Since fatigue seems to be a major problem for you, I suggest that you increase your intake of lean meat, fruits, vegetables, and dairy. Maybe aim for about 1500-1800 calories a day. I also suggest you take a good multi-vitamin each day. If you do this consistently for about 6 - 8 weeks, your body will be nourished with the protein, vitamins and minerals it is craving. At that point, you may have some fatigue still, but it will be from your depression and not from having an undernourished body. That should mean less fatigue for you.

Regarding your bingeing, this can be a difficult problem to manage. I also have this problem. I suspect that when your body is well nourished with a balanced diet, you will be less inclined to binge. If the problem persists, there is a medication available with which I have had much success. My psychiatrist prescribed Vyvanse for my Binge Eating Disorder. I live in Canada. I am not sure what it's called where you live. It might be worth discussing with your doctor.

If you are feeling chronically anxious, or amped up, perhaps you could ask your psychiatrist if you would be a good candidate for an anti-anxiety medication. You do not mention how often you drink energy drinks. Medicating yourself with energy drinks may be helping your ADD, but I wonder if the jitteryness you feel could be a withdrawal symptom from not having had an energy drink. They are usually loaded with caffeine, which can be highly addictive, especially in large doses. If you are drinking them often, then continuing to drink them may just be feeding a counter-productive addiction.

I hope some of this might be helpful to you, Kaye. Let me know how it goes.

Elizabeth

posted September 3, 2017
A MyDepressionTeam Member

I don't really know anything about ADD personally but have heard similar things
I am not 100% sure but only 500 calories a day seems pretty low for a "normal" diet I was always told something around the 2000 calories for a woman and 2500 for a man obviously these are just guidelines and I stand to be corrected if anyone else knows for sure

posted September 3, 2017
A MyDepressionTeam Member

I too have heard that caffeine or other stimulants are beneficial for those with ADD. My system works just the opposite. My new med that was supposed to make me drowsy woke me up to the point I couldn't sleep. had to start taking it in the morning rather than before bed. Crazy how these things work out. I now take it during the day and am able to accomplish things.

posted September 3, 2017
A MyDepressionTeam Member

Damn 500 calories isn't very much food you should really eat more only reason I'm saying anything is I'm worried about your health

posted February 28, 2018
A MyDepressionTeam Member

Simi, yes you make perfect sense to me. Have you considered looking for a new psychiatrist who will take your anxiety seriously?

posted September 4, 2017

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