Will depression cause fatigue?

Depression is a mood condition that includes feelings of sadness, anxiety, hopelessness, and guilt. The symptoms associated with depression usually include:

• Sadness, anxiety, or feelings of hopelessness
• Low self-worth
• Loss of interest in activities that were once enjoyed
• Changes in weight and appetite
• Difficulty concentrating or focusing
• Difficulty sleeping or sleeping too much
• Body aches and pains without a physical cause

For a diagnosis of depression, the feelings and other symptoms involved typically have to interfere with an important area of life like work, school, or relationships. Although there are several diagnoses for different types of depression, these symptoms are common for each.

Depression often comes with sleep issues that can interfere with the ability to get restful sleep and lead to feelings of fatigue. It can also include sleeping too much. Fatigue that arises from depression may interfere with performing once simple tasks or participating in once enjoyed activities and hobbies.

Sleep difficulties associated with depression may result in fatigue, but other potential causes of depression fatigue can include improper diet, stress, and medications commonly used to address depression.

The fatigue experienced with depression can result in other problems. People who have fatigue with depression often experience more severe depression, increased pain, worse sleep problems, and anxiety than people without fatigue.

Treatment is the best way to begin coping with depression and its related fatigue. Speak with your doctor or licensed mental health professional. Proper diagnosis can help your doctor and therapist create the best treatment plan for you. Visiting with your doctor can also help rule out any other underlying health conditions that may be causing fatigue. Depression is typically treated with a combination of therapy and medication.

There are some lifestyle changes and preventative or supportive measures that may be helpful. These include increasing exercise, taking steps to improve sleep quality, eating well, avoiding stimulants like caffeine, avoiding substances like alcohol, and taking steps to build and connect with a support system of family and friends.

People who experience fatigue with depression benefit from working with their doctor and a therapist toward a treatment plan. Leaving fatigue resulting from depression untreated can cause complications and worsen depression.