Does depression make you tired?
Feeling tired, low on energy, or exhausted is common with depression.
Along with fatigue, depression can bring feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and loss of interest in activities you used to enjoy.
According to WHO depression affects around 3.8% of the population, including 5% of adults, with higher rates among women and older adults.
Are you having depression and feeling tired all the time?
Get in touch with the top mental health specialists at Healthy Mind Foundation to receive comprehensive care that promotes your mental health.
There are ways to manage fatigue and low energy when you are dealing with depression.
Let’s look into details.
Does Depression Make You Tired
There is no single answer to this question. Depression can make you feel tired because it affects so many aspects of your life.
It can disturb your sleep, eating, and exercise schedules, resulting in low energy levels.
Additionally, a lack of enjoyment in activities and decreased motivation can worsen fatigue caused by depression.
Understanding how depression affects you personally is key to managing fatigue effectively.
Why Does Depression Cause Fatigue
Here is look into-depth at how depression could be causing your tiredness:
Sleeping Patterns
Depression frequently disturb sleep, resulting in insomnia or oversleeping.
Irregular sleep can make you feel tired and groggy during the day.
Diet Habits
Depression can affect appetite, leading to skipped meals or cravings for unhealthy foods.
Consuming high-fat, high-sugar foods can exacerbate fatigue.
Excessive Stress
Chronic stress is closely linked to depression and can drain your energy, leading to fatigue.
Living with ongoing stress can quickly deplete your physical and mental energy levels, causing tiredness and exhaustion.
Medication Side Effects
Antidepressants are commonly used to treat depression but can have side effects like fatigue.
If you are concerned about fatigue from your medication, discuss it with your doctor. Often, fatigue improves over time as your body adjusts to the medication.
Substance Use
People with depression may turn to alcohol or drugs to cope, increasing the risk of substance use disorders.
Using substances to self-medicate can worsen fatigue and other depressive symptoms, creating additional challenges in managing depression.
How to Combat Depression Fatigue
Coping with fatigue from depression can be challenging, but there are self-care strategies that can help:
Improve Sleep Hygiene
- Establish a regular sleep schedule.
- Avoid screens, alcohol, caffeine, and large meals before bedtime.
- Use your bed only for sleep to associate it with restfulness.
Stay Physically Active
- Add regular physical activity into your routine, even if it is just a short walk or gentle stretching.
- Find activities you enjoy to make exercise more appealing.
Professional Help
- Consult a qualified healthcare professional for diagnosis and treatment.
- Consider medication, like antidepressants, and therapy such as CBT.
- Be patient, as medication may take time to show full effects, and discuss any concerns or side effects with your healthcare provider.
You can visit the Healthy Mind Foundation to get help with depression.
We provide medication management. Healthy Mind’s specialists create treatment plans based on the nature of your condition.
In Conclusion- Does Depression Make You Tired?
Fatigue and low energy are common symptoms of depression that impact many facets of life.
With professional help and self-care activities like getting more sleep and working out, depression-related fatigue can be effectively managed.
FAQs
Why do some people suffer from depression and not others?
Studies indicate that depression tends to run in families. Some people inherit genes that contribute to it.
However, not everyone who has a depressed family member will develop depression themselves. Many people who have no family history still develop it.
Can people with depression lead a normal life?
People who receive early, continuous treatment can regain control of their symptoms, feel better, and resume enjoying their lives.
Why does depression cause fatigue?
According to the same research, stress can cause inflammation in the body, resulting in hypersomnia and fatigue. It may also cause a person to withdraw from social activities and have trouble thinking clearly.
Is exhaustion a sign of depression?
Yes, exhaustion can be a sign of depression. Feeling constantly tired, depleted of energy, or physically exhausted is a common sign of depression. This fatigue can affect daily activities and quality of life.
