Will depression make you tired?

Fatigue is a symptom reported by many people with depression and is one of the most common symptoms of major depressive disorder. Some of the other symptoms of depression can include:

• Feeling hopeless, helpless, or worthless
• Feelings of sadness, emptiness, or anxiety
• Changes in appetite or weight
• Troubling focusing
• Difficulty making decisions
• Loss of interest in hobbies and once enjoyed activities
• Headaches
• Aches and pains without underlying physical causes
• Stomach troubles
• Fatigue

Another symptom of depression is difficulty sleeping. This may mean difficulty falling asleep initially, or difficulty staying asleep, or both. The trouble getting adequate sleep may contribute to feelings of tiredness, exhaustion, and fatigue. Feeling too tired to engage in daily activities fully can lead to feelings of worthlessness or low self-efficacy. Feelings of fatigue can make it hard to find the motivation to exercise or participate in once enjoyed activities, leading to feelings of sadness.

Fatigue may be one of the more problematic symptoms of depression because it influences other aspects of life.

To determine if your fatigue is related to depression, visit your doctor or mental health professional. Often a physical examination will be used to rule out any underlying physical causes of fatigue. Your family history may be taken, and you may fill out questionnaires or be asked a series of questions about your present symptoms.

Depression is often treated with medication, therapy, or a combination of both. A common difficulty experienced with medications for depression is that they may actually increase tiredness in patients, which leads to further difficulties. Therapy and lifestyle changes may be the first recommendation of your doctor and therapist before using medication for that reason. Some lifestyle changes that may be recommended are:

• Stress management techniques like yoga, massage, or meditation
• Developing good sleeping habits

Developing good sleeping habits may be very helpful in managing depression and related fatigue. Some recommendations include:

• Choosing a regular bedtime and sticking to it
• Creating a good sleep environment with plenty of quiet, darkness, and the most comfortable temperature
• Limiting naps
• Avoiding stimulants that may interfere with sleep, like caffeine
• Exercising earlier in the day instead of in the afternoon or near bedtime

If you’re experiencing fatigue and are unsure of its cause or believe it may be related to depression, talk with your doctor to determine the next steps in determining its cause and planning for treatment. Depression and fatigue can both improve with treatment.