Emotional Exhaustion Is Real

Emotional exhaustion can develop when you have been giving, caring, serving, and managing responsibilities for a long time without enough opportunity to rest and replenish yourself.

For some women, it can look like:

• Feeling overwhelmed by everyday responsibilities

• Becoming more irritable or emotional than usual

• Feeling mentally "checked out"

• Having difficulty concentrating

• Feeling like everyone needs something from you

• Losing patience with the people you love

• Feeling guilty when you take time for yourself

• Wanting to withdraw from others

• Feeling disconnected from the woman you used to be

• Struggling to enjoy things that normally bring you joy

Sometimes, you may simply need rest and support.

Other times, persistent changes in your mood, thoughts, behaviors, sleep, appetite, or ability to function may be signs that something deeper deserves attention.

This is one reason counseling can be helpful.