Depression & Feeling Tired, Fatigue

Exactly what cause depression fatigue is not yet clear, but experts suspect several factors may be at play. Feeling exhausted and drained can sometimes make it difficult to distinguish between fatigue and depression. Both fatigue and depression share similar symptoms, such as low energy levels and a lack of motivation.

Brain Chemistry

Depression is thought to affect Neurostimulators the chemical messengers that facilitate communication between brain cells, according to Yale Medicine in New Haven, Connecticut. In particular, says Dr. Goldman, “depression impacts the neurotransmitters associated with the reward system and the system that regulates alertness.”

For example, having a low level of the neurotransmitter dopamine is linked not only to depression, but also to disturbed sleep, libido brain fog, lack of motivation, and feelings of hopelessness.

Stress

Stress has a more profound impact on people with depression than people without the condition. Too much stress can cause your body to feel constantly drained of energy.

Sleep Problems

Depression can disrupt sleeping patterns at night, causing greater levels of fatigue during the day. As many as 75 percent of people with depression have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep.

Stress is a common reason that many people with depression have trouble falling asleep and staying asleep. Worries about money or problems at work, for instance, are more likely to keep someone with depression wide awake at night, causing an additional layer of fatigue during the day.

Diet

Diet and fatigue have a strong connection. People who eat a nutritious diet are more likely to have healthy energy levels throughout the day. Certain vitamin and mineral deficiencies, like iron or Vitamin D deficiency, could also lead to fatigue.

People with depression may be less motivated to eat a healthy diet, which could lead to fatigue. They may also lose their appetite, which can cause them to not get the caloric intake they need to maintain high energy levels.

Drug and alcohol use

People with depression are twice as likely to have a drug or alcohol addiction than people without any mood problems. Many people with depression use drugs and alcohol to try to escape from their symptoms. This is called self-medication. In these cases, it could be the drugs that are causing tiredness, on top of the depression itself. For example, abusing benzodiazepines can cause extreme sleepiness.

Some people may also use substances like alcohol to try to fall asleep at night. Although alcohol could help them fall asleep initially, it actually disrupts the sleep-wake cycle over the long term. This could cause your sleep quality to be poor, which might lead to daytime fatigue.

Stress and anxiety

Anxiety and depression are also deeply intertwined, and many people live with both conditions. Up to 70% of people with depression also have symptoms of anxiety. 

Living under stress and anxiety can be exhausting. You may constantly have worries racing through your mind, which could cause tension in your body and keep you awake at night.

Inflammation

Persistent low-grade inflammation in the body has been linked to several forms of fatigue in scientific research. Inflammation can also have negative effects on the central nervous system, which could contribute to depression. People who have an inflammatory immune system response, like allergies or asthma, also have higher rates of both depression and fatigue.

This could partially explain the biological link between depression and fatigue. Research has found that antidepressants work to decrease the inflammatory response in the body.

Depression Medications

Drowsiness and lethargy can be side effects of antidepressant medications, especially during the first few weeks of taking them, according to Mayo Clinic. Antidepressants also sometimes make it harder to fall asleep or stay asleep, thus ramping up daytime fatigue.

How to tell if you are depressed or just tired?

Differentiating between fatigue and depression can be challenging due to overlapping symptoms. However, understanding the distinctions is crucial for appropriate treatment. Here are some key indicators to help you determine if you are experiencing depression or simply feeling tired.

Duration: Fatigue is temporary, while depression persists for more than two weeks.

Impact: Fatigue may affect productivity, but depression significantly impairs daily functioning.

Emotional state: Tiredness may cause irritability, while depression brings persistent feelings of sadness and hopelessness.

Physical symptoms: Fatigue may lead to physical exhaustion, but depression can also cause changes in appetite, sleep disturbances, and unexplained aches.

Seeking help: If unsure, consult a healthcare professional for an accurate diagnosis.

How to cope with fatigue caused by depression?

Luckily, there are lifestyle changes you can make that could help reduce the level of fatigue you feel because of depression. Here are just a few.

Get some sleep
One of the best things you can do to improve fatigue is to improve your sleep habits. Make sure you practice good sleep hygiene to maximize the chances of getting a good night’s sleep. When you sleep well, you may be more likely to have more energy when you wake up.

Exercise
Physical exercise is a great way to both improve depression symptoms and increase your energy levels. In the research, exercise has been found to significantly lift mood. It can be difficult to find the motivation to exercise when you have depression, so start with small steps.

Eat nutrient-rich foods
Even if your depression causes you not to have an appetite (or eat “comfort foods” that may not be healthy), try to eat a diet that’s filled with vitamins and nutrients. In particular, eat foods like:

• Fruits and vegetables
• Fatty fish, like salmon
• Yogurt
• Eggs
• Dark chocolate
• Grains and legumes

These may help you get your energy levels back. 

Lay off the alcohol
You might feel like alcohol and other drugs help with depression symptoms. But, these substances keep you locked in a vicious cycle. Using alcohol and drugs to cope can worsen your sleep quality and make you feel even more tired. On top of that, these habits can put you at risk of developing substance use disorder, which can make depression worse.

Get mental health treatment
If you still feel fatigued after trying these strategies, it may be time to seek mental health treatment for depression. Mental health treatments like therapy and other holistic methods can target your depression directly. Licensed practitioners get to the root of your depression and help you learn coping skills to live a happier and more fulfilled life. MAKE AN APPOINTMENT NOW!

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