Tiredness and Sleepiness
It is not unusual to feel tired at times, especially if you have an active work and social life, or young children.
Before you see a GP, it is worth thinking about some of the factors in your life that could be causing your tiredness. This might include:
- Working long hours
- Aspects of family life being particularly tiring
- Your lifestyle
- Any events such as bereavement or relationship break up that can trigger tiredness
If your tiredness continues and doesn’t get any better, then you should consider seeing a GP. Unexplained tiredness is one of the most common reasons people make a GP appointment.
Your GP will look at three areas when looking for the causes of your tiredness:
- Psychological – stress, depression, anxiety, emotional shock
- Physical – iron deficiency (anaemia), sleep apnoea, underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism)
- Lifestyle – Alcohol, exercise, caffeine, night shifts, daytime naps
More information and Resources
Mentalhealth.org.uk – how to sleep better
Carers.org.uk – help for carers
Self Help Tips
An NHS self-help guide for sleeping problems