O heart of mine, we shouldn't worry so,
  What we have missed of calm we couldn't have, you know!

What we've met of stormy pain,
  And of sorrow's driving rain,
  We can better meet again,
        If it blow.

We have erred in that dark hour, we have known,
  When the tear fell with the shower, all alone.

Were not shine and shower blent
  As the gracious Master meant?
  Let us temper our content
        With His own.

For we know not every morrow
        Can be sad;
  So forgetting all the sorrow
        We have had,
  Let us fold away our fears,
  And put by our foolish tears,
  And through all the coming years,
        Just be glad. BY JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY (6)

What is Nervous exhaustion? : an extreme mental and physical fatigue caused by excessive emotional stress; neurasthenia. Also, it can be called Nervous prostration - Extreme exhaustion from the inability to control physical and mental activities. Did you know that this is a nervous breakdown, a form of depression, and that it’s related to chronic fatigue? That information can help you further your research.

I’m glad I stumbled upon your post as I greatly benefited from the research and knowledge I gained.  My threshold is very low, and all my life, I simply thought of my self as weak. My life’s events- over the past two years- really sent me to the edge of sanity; on more than one occasion, I thought my heart was going stop.  I worry about everything!  Why am I this way?  Today, I say it’s caused by my father.  For me, stress is ongoing, because I love my family so much and do not want to give up on them.  Most people go into overload, give up, back off, or abandon what ever it is that cause them so much pain.  I never give up!  Over and over, I’ve been told this- and as an adult, I struggle with this as I don’t know when to walk away.  I don’t put protective walls up, and I don’t turn frigid.  I feel everything and face life’s painful lessons with an open heart.  Because of this, normal everyday stressors can be too much for me to handle at times.  I never thought that family stress and worrying would ever harm me until my pedestrian auto accident. The combined stressors in my life- over the past two years- really taught me a thing- or-two; the things I want to pass on to you is how I combat emotional overload using alternative health.

Here’s an interesting story to help establish how dangerous stress, anxiety and depression is to your health. 

“Spring of 1876, a young woman sent this letter to her family:I do not know where any news granted me more gladly than your letter of today. Ma is to all appearances as well as ever, but I fare not as well, am now rested in an "invalid chair" and am gaining as quickly as it is possible. For me to gain under a like sickness what of a perfect nervous prostration, and slow nervous fever, a long time coming down and consequently a slow getting up, so many relapses. But Providence permitting, I am on a fair way to recover. . . Six months later, she was dead.” (1)

Exercise is my favorite stress reliever. I walk two miles a day five times a week to help reduce stress. For me, this is the most effect treatment. Exercise is not known yet for its ability to cure anxiety and emotional overload; however, all that is changing.  Scientists are willing to talk about it and are devoting more time in proving its effectiveness against mental stress and anxiety- emotional over load. Exercise is no longer just for sport, or for pure entertainment; it’s essential for maintaining a healthy life style and mental wellbeing. So if you never allowed exercise into your daily routine, it’s time- and yes, it is very important if you want to recover.  Take a look at what scientist have to say about exercise:

“The research literature suggests that for many variables there is now ample evidence that a definite relationship exists between exercise and improved mental health. This is particularly evident in the case of a reduction of anxiety and depression. For these topics, there is now considerable evidence derived from over hundreds of studies with thousands of subjects to support the claim that “exercise is related to a relief in symptoms of depression and anxiety.” Obviously, more research is needed to determine if this overall relationship is “causal,” and there is also a need to examine further some of the variables that are believed to moderate the overall relationship.” (14)

I like to meditate and use relaxation and breathing techniques to alleviate stress.  Yoga is easy to understand and you can benefit from it even if you don’t believe in it. If you’ve never given yoga a chance before, take a look at how it can help you:

“Ancient therapeutic traditions of Yoga as well as modern medical research speak about the intimate relationship between our breathing patterns and our physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual health. They have shown how natural healthy respiration not only increases longevity and supports our overall well-being and self-development, but also helps in medical conditions such as mental stress and anxiety…” (15)

Below, you will find a list of supplements to help combat, and in some cases may even cure- nervous prostration. I’m not too familiar with the acids recommended here so please research them further.

Ginseng (5 & 7)  Asian ginseng. Panax ginseng or Asian ginseng is similar to its Russian cousin in that it is also may help with conditions like physical exhaustion, nervous prostration or emotional "burnout." Ginseng is a mild sedative and tonic to the nerve centers, improving their tone, if persisted in, and increasing the capillary circulation of the brain. It is given in cerebral anemia, and if combined with other tonics is capable of doing some good. It is also prescribed in the failure of digestion incident to nervous  prostartation and general nerve irritation."

#Phosphoric acid. (2 & 8)
This remedy is to nervous debility what iron is to anaemia, and it corresponds to that debility arising from continued grief, over-exertion of the mind, sexual excesses or any nervous strain on the body or mind. The remedy is characterized by indifference, apathy, and torpidity of body and mind. There is burning in the spine and limbs and the patient is inclined to be drowsy and listless. Any attempt to study causes heaviness in the head and limbs. It suits also young, rapidly growing people, and especially cases of nervous depression from spermatorrhoea. Gelsemium. A mainstay in this disease. Feeling dull, unable to concentrate mind; vertigo, dull ache at base of brain. Lacks self-confidence. Sudden emotions bring on diarrhoea or indigestion. Ignatia. Chronic worries, fears of misfortune and startled by slightest noise. Kali Phosphoricum corresponds to nervous dreads, oversensitiveness to noise, restless and suspicious effect of fright, grief, fear, sleeplessness. Excessive and exhausting mental labor. It is one of the best remedies we have and is probably often indicated. All observers agree that it is the most useful of the various phosphates.

Lemon Balm: (3) Being both carminative and antispasmodic, is active specifically on that part of the vagus nerve which may interfere with the harmonious functioning of the heart and the stomach. Recent experiments at the University of Heidelberg have confirmed that the action of the volatile oil begins within the limbic system of the brain and subsequently operates directly upon the vagus nerve and all of the organs that are innervated by it. Accordingly, neurasthenia (complete nervous prostatation), migraine, and nervous gastropathy are amenable to its healing power.”

#Silicea. [Sil] (2)
Corresponds to nervous exhaustion when the patient dreads any mental or bodily exertion. He must get warmed up to his work to do anything. He is debilitated, yet hyperaesthetic. There is numbness in the toes, fingers and back, and the constipation peculiar to the drug is present. It suits cases that become exhausted after excitement ; as long as the excitement lasts they feel well, when the excitement is over the wretched feeling re-appears. It especially corresponds to the troublesome and persistent aching of the neck muscles and occiput.

#Picric acid (2 &9)
corresponds well to the brain fag of business men who become depressed and wearied from slight fatigue. It is a mental inactivity, with a desire to lie down and rest. The great characterstic is that slight exertion brings on exhaustion and headache, incapacitating for work, and extinguishes that quality which we call grit. Even the slightest mental exertion causes heavy feelings and sensation of heat. The headache may be frontal or occipital and extended down the spine, in fact, the head symptoms seems to be concentrated in the occiput. Sexual irritability may be a prominent symptom. In the morning there is a tired aching in the lumbar region, the legs are heavy and weak with the soreness of the muscles and joints. It is of our best remedies in neuraesthenia. It acts perhaps best in the 6th centesimal potency, though Dr. Goldsbrough thinks the 12th preferable. Cartier prefers Ferrum picricum where the weakness is prominent and in neuraesthenic dyspepsia or indigestion. Oxalic acid is more suitable to cases where pain is a prominent symptom as in spinal neuraesthenia and the stress of the attack falls on the digestive rather than the sexual functions. Physostigma. Mental and physical debility, rapid feeble pulse---especially spinal cases.

#Zincum metallicum. [Zinc] (2)
When in consequence of exhausting disease the recuperative powers are weakened, and the nervous weakness shows itself in backache about the region of the last dorsal vertebra, and excessive fidgetiness of the feet, Zincum may be prescribed. There is burning in the spine, formication in the calves and weak limbs. A combination of this and Picric acid called Zincum picratum has been found useful when the spinal symptoms and exhaustion are prominent. Zincum phosphide is also a suitable remedy for brain fag of business men who become haggard, pale and sleepless and suffer from depression of spirits and worry. It is well recommended by Hale.

#Lycopodium. [Lyc] (2 & 10)
Weakness of memory, confusion of thought, sadness and depression, wants to be alone, despairs of salvation. It is frequently indicated in lithaemic neuraesthenia with hepatic troubles, weakness of memory. Psoric or arthritic symptoms are to be expected in such cases. Sleep is restless, flatulence and constipation.

#Phosphorus. [Phos] (2)
This remedy suits cases which stand on the border line between neuraesthenia and organic spinal disease, and Hart considers it essential to cure in most cases. It is indicated by irritability and weakness, over-sensitiveness to all impressions; the head is weak and the patient cannot think; there is burning in small spots, better from rubbing ; the legs are weak with numbness and coldness and the sphincters are weak. It is a splendid deep-acting remedy and noises in the ears offer an additional indication. Coca is useful in mental depression, disinclination to work , and general debility, the least exertion is attended with fatigue. Phosphorus suits best those cases where the prostration is very sudden and the nervous system becomes exhausted, fearful of death, of the future, of being alone,anxious, restless, irritable, startled by slightest noise. Vertigo is prominent.

#Avena sativa. [Aven] (2 & 11)
Weakness of nerves, tried brain, irritability, gets excited at least thing. Urine has excess of phosphates, history of sexual excesses and occipital headache. This remedy in appreciable doses of the tincture will calm and strengthen the nerves.---E. G. Jones.

#Nux vomica. [Nux-v] (2 & 12)
Useful in irritable, excited, over-sensitive patients with defective memories, loss of energy, patients with whom everything goes wrong, trifling ailments are unbearable; there is intellectual incapacity and insomnia, nightmares, and if all these conditions are associated with dyspeptic troubles the remedy is all the better indicated. Anacardium has weakness of memory and general feebleness of brain power; the mental incapacity of this remedy is very pronounced. It suits "borderlanders " between neuraesthenia and insanity. Despair of recovery, fear of paralysis and death, imagines he is surrounded by enemies, fearful of walking in open air, and if anyone approaches. Argentum nitricum. Fear of dying when left alone, afraid to walk in streets lest he fall down in a fit or that high buildings fall upon him. Neuraesthenia with nervous dyspepsia, eructations. Pulsatilla vies with Nux in the neuraesthenia of men and is often neglected. It has sensations in the back as if tightly bandaged, the weary feeling in the morning. There is a general fatigue, heavy tired aching, not relieved by repose. Its general symptoms of venous stagnation will be present. Sepia, too, should not be overlooked; its general tired paralytic state corresponds to neuraesthenic conditions. Fear of being alone, of starvation.

#Natrum muriaticum. [Nat-m] (2)
Suitable for spinal neuraesthenia; the small of the back feels paralyzed, especially in the morning on rising, the feet are heavy, there is a troublesome dribbling of urine, dryness of the mouth, sticky secretions and the skin is dry and mummified. Selenium has neuraesthenia from sexual excesses, dribbling of prostatic fluid. Helonias. Neuraesthenia with weak lumbo-sacral region; feels tired all over; better from motion or when the mind is occupied.

References:

1.        http://members.aol.com/AdamCo9991/medicalterminolgy.html

2.        http://www.hpathy.com/diseases/neuraesthenia-symptoms-treatment-cure.asp

3.        http://altnature.com/library/nervous.htm

4.        http://www.shirleys-wellness-cafe.com/nervines.htm

5.        http://www.thewellnessdoc.com/resources/herbs/ginseng.stm

6.        http://www.blackmask.com/thatway/books160c/qwordex.htm

7.        http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0FKA/is_11_62/ai_66885570

8.        http://www.hpathy.com/materiamedica/allenkeynotes/allen_phosphoricacid.asp

9.        http://www.hpathy.com/materiamedica/allen_picricacid.asp

10.     http://www.elixirs.com/products.cfm?ProductCode=HY159

11.     http://www.bioforceshop.co.uk/products/herbal/avenasativa

12.     http://www.1-800homeopathy.com/products/details.html?productid=NUXV

13.     http://www.sinus-pro.com/ingredients/nat_mur.asp

14.     http://www.fitness.gov/mentalhealth.htm

15.     http://www.lifepositive.com/Mind/psychology/stress/alternative-stress-managem...