Fatigue can be one of the first symptoms of depression, and one of the most noticeable. Those with depression might find themselves thinking things like “I’m tired of being tired,” or “I just want to sleep the day away.” Are you wondering why depression makes you tired? We’re here to explore several reasons why those with depression might be experiencing this.The nature of the diseaseDepression affects the neurotransmitters in the brain that control how awake and alert individuals feel. In our experience, it is very rare that fatigue is NOT one of the main symptoms of someone suffering from depression. Feeling excessively tired should be a warning sign that there is an imbalance of chemicals in the brain that needs to be addressed by a mental health professional.Sleeping patternsDepression can disrupt sleeping patterns at night, causing greater levels of fatigue during the day. It takes depressed people longer to fall asleep as well, which results in them sleeping for less time than their non-depressive counterparts. A good night’s rest has many restorative properties for brain function, and when sleep is light, interrupted, or insufficiently long, restorative processes can be interrupted, and even halted. Sufficient rest is a key factor of managing a mental illness.MedicationsFatigue can be a side effect of several antidepressant medications. Talk to your doctor if you feel your medications could be contributing to your fatigue.StressManaging work, family responsibilities, and possibly education or other burdens is already a heavy stress load, but adding an additional stressor like a mental illness can exhaust anyone’s energy levels.“The Spoon Theory” by Christine Miserandino is used in the chronic illness sector to demonstrate how much energy certain tasks take for people with chronic illnesses. The theory is that if everyone in the world started the day with a certain number of spoons, representing units of energy, a normal person would spend one spoon to wake up, shower, dress, and eat breakfast, while a person with chronic illness might spend three to four spoons doing so.Are you running out of spoons by the middle of the day? That might be a sign that you need to cut back on some things. Managing stress and outside obligations or responsibilities can help alleviate some tiredness.Other reasons you might experience fatigueIt’s possible that your fatigue is not caused by your depression, but by other medical issues such as thyroid problems, anemia or chronic fatigue syndrome. Talk to your doctor to determine the underlying cause of your fatigue, and they can help you find a solution that’s right for you.
