Dear Dr. Darcy:
I have been feeling endlessly tired for the last 2 months. I thought it was just the holidays but they've come and gone and no matter how many hours I sleep, I wake up exhausted. The exhaustion has impacted my sex drive and often I can't think clearly. Should I see a doctor?
ANSWER
Yes. You should absolutely see a doctor to rule out any medical issues. Once you've gotten the green light from a traditional doctor, you might seek out an alternative doctor and ask if you have something called Adrenal Fatigue.
The theory behind adrenal fatigue is that our adrenal glands are not able to respond to the endless demands of our fight-or-flight arousal. When this system becomes taxed, it fails to produce the level of hormones necessary to function properly. What circumstances can trigger this falter? Stress.
Americans have been under stress since our economic bubble burst in December, 2007. That's more than 3 years of extended stress, Folks. Our fight-or-flight response was designed to perpetuate the human race through near-death experiences, which is very different from the way this system is ignited in 2011. Today, a typical adrenalin rush is provoked by circumstances of significantly less threat. Between our flat-lined economy and our endless quest to stay current with technology, our brains are over-stimulated in ways previously unimaginable. The result is an epidemic hyper-vigilance, and it's caused an epidemic of Adrenal Fatigue.
What To Do:
You know the solution. Breathe. Easier said than done, I know. Vitamins are said to help such as B Complex, Ginseng and Omega 3's. Stop listening to fear mongers aka, the news, start a daily mediation program (email me for suggestions) and exercise daily.
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