Fatigue in Withdrawal

So I’m doing a series right now on symptoms in psych med withdrawal. I went through a prolonged withdrawal experience... mine was acute and it took a while to recover.

In this series, I’m just sharing the symptoms I experienced, how they resolved, and how I’m doing now. I hope some of this will encourage you and give you a little light if you’re walking through the dark right now.

Encouragement and Support

If you’re going through withdrawal, I just want to say: you’re doing something really courageous. You may feel like you're pioneering this path alone, but many people have walked it and survived. You’re not alone. And good things can still be waiting for you, not just after this, but even during it.

If you'd like to talk one-on-one, you can find the link in the description. I’m meeting with people for coaching and would love to walk alongside you in this.

Discussing Fatigue During Withdrawal

Today I want to talk about fatigue. It’s such an unrelenting symptom. I had it for quite a while during my withdrawal.

Fatigue is exhaustion. Unrelenting exhaustion: no matter what, no matter where, no matter when. Your body and your mind just feel tired. You shuffle from the sink to the table to the couch. You’re tired when you wake, tired all day, with no real energy to do much. You feel run down and weary.

It was like moving through the day in a blur. There wasn’t much difference in how I felt from one part of the day to the next. I just felt depleted.

Managing Fatigue and Self-Care Tips

For me, fatigue wasn’t as hard as some of the other symptoms, but it was still challenging. It’s tough to feel like you don’t have the energy to do what you need to do.

But your body is doing so much. It’s regulating, healing, restoring. Even if it feels like you’re doing “nothing,” your body is actually doing a lot.

Your brain is rebuilding what the meds had replaced or disrupted. Your whole body system is getting a full reboot.

So be gentle with yourself. Try, even though it’s hard, to be proud of what you can do. You may be comparing yourself to how you were before. You might be thinking, “I used to work,” or “I used to keep my house clean,” or “I used to go to the grocery store without thinking about it.”

But now you’re limited. And that’s okay. Just remember: your body is doing something incredible. It’s regrowing, rebalancing, and healing from the inside out.

Accepting Limits and Celebrating Small Wins

If you’re able to do something like wash dishes, even if it takes twice as long, tell yourself: you did it. You showed up and did it even in the middle of this.

If you’re not able to do big things like work or run errands, focus on a mindset of acceptance. Support yourself and praise what is possible.

Text a friend if you need someone to celebrate with. Let someone say “yay” for you when you make it through the day or finish a task.

Sure, exercise and nutrition are good for healing. But maybe right now, exercise isn’t possible. Maybe you can’t work out like you used to, but you can go for a short walk. That’s still something to be proud of.

If you’re bedridden, you’re not alone. Lots of people are bedridden during this process. So maybe it’s just about how you occupy your mind... listening to an audiobook, calling a friend, or watching something encouraging.

Withdrawal is about accepting your limits, doing what you can within them, and trusting that your body is healing, even when you can’t see it.

You will heal. You will come to a place where you’re able to live a full, healthy, meds-free life.

I’m working now. I’m raising my kids. I’m managing my household. I’m enjoying friends and walks and trips and everyday life again.

I never would have imagined a year ago that I’d feel this joyful and well. But I do. And I’m med-free.

That’s waiting for you too. Even if it’s dark right now: hang in there. Your body is doing the work.

If you want to meet with me, click here. I’d love to talk to you.

You’re not alone. You’re healing.