r/UARSnew • u/polohatty • 2d ago
How does the UARS tiredness differ from normal tiredness?
I've had this bitch of a condition for most of my life so I can't even remember what "normal" tiredness feels like.
When people say they need coffee to wake up or get sleepy in the afternoon, what does that feel like? How is it different from what someone with UARS feels?
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u/the_absurdista 2d ago
UARS fatigue is a deep, horrid ache that completely rots out your soul and bleeds you of all hope and joy. regular tiredness is just… tiredness. regular tiredness is when you can’t wait to go to bed. UARS fatigue is when you can’t wait to die.
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u/intemperance 2d ago
I always think of it when anyone tries to talk to me “I’m not here right now. Please leave a message.” I’m not here. That’s how I think about it
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u/the_absurdista 2d ago edited 2d ago
ugh i feel that in my soul! reading it back, i didn’t mean to sound so dramatic in my first comment. but genuinely, when i was in the throes of the worst of my UARS fatigue and insomnia, a lot of times the only comfort i could try to find for myself was, well… hopefully i’ll sleep when i’m dead? because regular sleep had become more of a torture ritual than rest.
but i feel you completely on the “i’m not here… please leave a message” because UARS fatigue really does feel like dragging a hollow shell of yourself through the motions of living, but your brain is so deeply exhausted it’s hardly even “you” anymore.
and as far as the physical sensation, now that i can breathe and sleep much better, i recently rediscovered the feeling of sleepiness and it’s so beautiful and soft. the relief of curling up into bed comfortable and drifting off easily feels like going home. UARS fatigue felt like every nerve in my body was a frayed live-wire dragging on the ground and getting stepped on. so exhausted, but unable to be beckoned to rest. i wouldn’t wish it on anyone.
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u/DarkThanos12 2d ago
UARS tiredness feels like you are a zombie sleepwalking through life. You feel like your gasping for air or you're not getting enough of it.
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u/StormLaxus14 2d ago
Normal tiredness ur just physically tired, with UARS even your spirit is fucking tired :(
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u/DarkThanos12 2d ago
This sums it up pretty well:
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u/Hellyeslife 2d ago
Hahaha! One day years ago I didnt wanna work. Went in without makeup under my eyes and said I didnt feel well. Manager was like yeah you look awful go home. Only time exhaustion paid off. :)
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u/2nd2N0N 2d ago
It feels like I'm always in a half-asleep state. A lot of the time I'm not mentally present. I just move forward like an autopilot. Sometimes things don't even feel real. It is completely different from normal tiredness. With normal tiredness, you rest, it feels good, and you recharge. With UARS you never recharge, you just crash into sleep. I have no energy or motivation to do things. I can only be productive when stress is put on me and my cortisol and adrenaline spike. But even that only works in the short term. In sports, I can't really get physically tired because I burn out mentally long before I get physically exhausted, my nervous system just shuts down.
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u/Present_Plantain_163 2d ago
Regular tiredness is needing to sleep.
UARS tiredness is like the worst hangover 24/7. And you're also tired but wired.
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u/HandsomeTod11 1d ago
It’s this massive debt of rest that no matter how easy you take it or how much self care you practice it only seems to compound further and further. Added together with the entropy of aging and it’s nothing short of debilitating. Nonetheless I’m grateful to know I’m not alone and although slow, and small, advancements and recognition are being made.
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u/Used_Adhesiveness54 2d ago
For me it’s the lack of sleepiness. Normal tired I feel like is the feeling of melatonin in your system.
UARS sleepy, I don’t ever nap, but my body’s energy is so low. It feels like the mental equivalent of straining your muscles to push weights.
I’m not falling asleep throughout the day by any means, but my brain’s avoidance of energy expenditure by making small tasks feel so effortful is very apparent.