Fatigue and Depression: Medically reviewed by

Timothy J. Legg, PhD, PsyD,

Are They Connected?

CRNP, ACRN, CPH on July
5, 2017 — Written by Rachel
Nall, RN, BSN, CCRN

Fatigue vs. depression An unfortunate connection

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How are depression and fatigue
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Depression and chronic fatigue syndrome are two conditions that can
make someone feel extremely tired, even after a good night’s rest. It’s Chronic Constipation Medications
possible to have both conditions at the same time. It’s also easy to
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mistake feelings of fatigue for depression and vice-versa.

Depression occurs when a person feels sad, anxious, or hopeless for an

extended period of time. People who are depressed often have sleep
problems. They may sleep too much or not sleep at all.
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Chronic fatigue syndrome is a condition that causes a person to have
continuous feelings of fatigue without any underlying cause. Sometimes
chronic fatigue syndrome is misdiagnosed as depression. Signs of Depression

What are the differences between Symptoms of Depression

depression and fatigue?

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The main difference between these conditions is that chronic fatigue It Is and How to Treat It
syndrome is primarily a physical disorder while depression is a mental
health disorder. There can be some overlap between the two.
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Symptoms of depression can include:

continuous feelings of sadness, anxiety, or emptiness The Effects of Depression in

Your Body
feelings of hopelessness, helplessness, or worthlessness
disinterest in hobbies you once enjoyed
eating too much or too little
trouble concentrating and making decisions

Physical symptoms can also occur with depression. People may have
frequent:

headaches
cramps
stomach upset
other pains

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They may also have trouble going to sleep or sleeping through the night,
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which can lead to exhaustion.
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People with chronic fatigue syndrome often have physical symptoms that
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aren’t commonly associated with depression. These include:
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sore throat

Depression and chronic fatigue syndrome also affect people differently

when it comes to their daily activities. People with depression often feel
very tired and aren’t interested in doing any activity, regardless of the task
or the required amount of effort. Meanwhile, those with chronic fatigue
syndrome usually want to engage in activities but just feel too tired to do
so.

To diagnose either condition, your doctor will try to rule out other
disorders that can cause similar symptoms. If your doctor thinks you have
depression, they may refer you to a mental health expert for evaluation.

An unfortunate connection
Unfortunately, people who have chronic fatigue syndrome may become
depressed. And while depression doesn’t cause chronic fatigue
syndrome, it can certainly cause increased fatigue.

Many people with chronic fatigue syndrome have sleep disorders, such as ADVERTISEMENT
insomnia or sleep apnea. These conditions often make fatigue worse Related Searches
because they prevent people from getting a good night’s rest. When
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people feel tired, they may not have the motivation or energy to do their
daily activities. Even walking to the mailbox can feel like a marathon. The Best Eczema Cream
lack of desire to do anything can put them at risk for developing
depression. Multiple Sclerosis Diet Pills

Fatigue may also fuel depression. People with depression often feel very Chronic Constipation Medications

tired and don’t want to take part in any activities.

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Diagnosing depression and

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They may use other methods, such as blood tests or X-rays, to make sure
another disorder isn’t causing your symptoms.

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Before diagnosing you with chronic fatigue syndrome, your doctor will run Related Searches
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These may include restless leg syndrome, diabetes, or depression.
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Treating depression and fatigue Multiple Sclerosis Diet Pills

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Therapy or counseling can help treat depression. It can also be treated
with certain medications. These include antidepressants, antipsychotics, Allergy Relief Products
and mood stabilizers.

Taking antidepressants can sometimes make symptoms of chronic fatigue

syndrome worse. That’s why your doctor should screen you for Was this article helpful?
depression and chronic fatigue syndrome before prescribing any
medication.
Yes No
Several treatments can help people with chronic fatigue syndrome,
depression, or both. These include:

deep-breathing exercises
massage
stretching
tai chi (a slow-moving type of martial arts)
yoga

People with depression and chronic fatigue syndrome should also try to
develop good sleeping habits. Taking the following steps can help you
sleep longer and more deeply:

go to bed at the same time every night

create an environment that promotes sleep (such as a dark, silent, or
cool room)
avoid taking long naps (limit them to 20 minutes)
avoid foods and drinks that can prevent you from sleeping well
(such as caffeine, alcohol, and tobacco)
avoid exercising at least 4 hours before bedtime

When to see your doctor

Talk to your doctor if you’re struggling with prolonged fatigue or think you
have depression. Both chronic fatigue syndrome and depression cause
changes that can negatively affect your personal and work life. The good
news is that both conditions can improve with the right treatment.

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