Even though depression is one of the most common mental health disorders, it is still misunderstood. One of the subtle symptoms of depression is fatigue, which affects more than 90% of people with depression. If you have been feeling a lack of energy, where it is hard for you to wake up in the morning or you are dozing off in the middle of the day, it is time to get treatment for depression.
The Fatigue-Depression Connection
One reason for the connection between fatigue and depression is the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) which helps regulate the body’s response to stress. Chronic stress can disrupt the functioning of the HPA axis and lead to problems in both sleep and depression. A lot of people with depression have trouble sleeping. People with underlying sleep conditions like chronic fatigue can be more vulnerable to depression. Another complicating factor is medication side effects. While medication for depression can decrease the severity of fatigue, some medications can actually cause fatigue.
Fatigue and Loss of Interest
Symptoms of fatigue may not always mean being tired in the sense that you do not have the energy to do the things you love to do. It can be things like not liking your favorite activity anymore or no longer wanting to engage socially. Mental health professionals are really on the lookout for emotional fatigue and loss of interest in a depression diagnosis. Even if someone is motivated to participate in their usual activities but is too tired, mental health professionals can discover the root causes of these effects.
How COVID-19 Complicated Fatigue More
The CDC says that 30% of Americans have symptoms of anxiety and depression during this time. Disruptions to normal routines and the stress of living in a pandemic have taken a toll on sleep. It is very important to pay attention to emotional health changes, sleep patterns, and fatigue. It may be easier to talk to a specialist about having trouble sleeping, rather than discussing depression. There is, unfortunately, still a stigma when it comes to speaking about depression, which prevents people from seeking help and being happy.
Living in a pandemic and dealing with COVID-19 are prevalent reasons for experiencing negative mental health symptoms, and are also why it is important to seek help now. There are effective treatments for depression like talk therapy and support groups. By taking control of your tiredness, you are ensuring your depression is taken care of, as well.
Fatigue is an important symptom in depression in that it causes a lack of motivation. When we are happy, we wake up in the morning looking forward to what is to come. Being tired can leave us never wanting to leave our beds again. With the right help, we can teach you how to get the right course of treatment to improve your depression symptoms. At Alta Loma, we understand the importance of addressing your depressive symptoms and treating them. Our transformative treatment facility will connect you with mental health specialists who can create a personalized treatment plan for you that is designed to get rid of your fatigue and low moods. We can also connect you with individualized therapy, therapeutic recreational activities to keep you energized, medication management, a long-term continuum of care, and more. We are here to help you. To learn more, please contact us today at (866) 457-3843.
