Constant fatigue

Chronic fatigue and lack of energy

Fatigue can accompany depression, but can also be related to sleep problems, chronic stress, physical illness, medications, or lifestyle choices. It is impossible to determine the cause from this symptom alone.

If fatigue is prolonged, unusual for you, or gradually worsening, it is important to evaluate both your mental state and possible physical causes.

How fatigue can manifest itself in depression

If you are depressed, you may wake up without feeling refreshed, get tired quickly even after light exercise, or feel that simple everyday activities require too much effort.

It may become more difficult to get out of bed, cook meals, shower, work, study, or make normal decisions. Sometimes there is a feeling of physical heaviness or slowness.

Other symptoms may be present at the same time:

depressed mood;

loss of interest and pleasure;

decreased motivation;

sleep disorders;

difficulty concentrating;

change in appetite;

feelings of guilt, worthlessness or hopelessness.

At the same time, the severity of fatigue does not always correspond to the amount of work performed.

Other Possible Causes

Constant fatigue has many possible causes. Among them:

lack of sleep or poor quality of sleep;

chronic stress and overwork;

anemia and deficiency of certain nutrients;

thyroid dysfunction;

infections and other diseases;

chronic pain;

breathing disorders during sleep;

side effects of certain medications;

use of alcohol or other substances;

malnutrition or sudden weight changes.

This is not a complete list or a guide to self-diagnosis. Sometimes several factors are present at the same time - for example, sleep disturbance, chronic illness and depression.

What to pay attention to

Useful to track:

when the fatigue began and whether it came on gradually or suddenly;

Does your energy level change throughout the day?

does sleep or rest help?

whether the duration and quality of sleep have changed;

whether there is a depressed mood, loss of interest, anxiety or apathy;

has it become more difficult to concentrate and make decisions;

whether your appetite or weight has changed;

whether there is pain, fever, shortness of breath, palpitations, dizziness or other physical symptoms;

whether new medications have been introduced or their dosage has recently changed;

whether alcohol, psychoactive substances or large amounts of caffeine are used;

how tiredness interferes with work, study, communication and self-care.

What can you do

If fatigue is due to temporary overwork or lack of sleep, regular sleep patterns, nutritious meals, moderate physical activity and reducing excessive exercise can help.

If you are feeling very tired, you don’t have to try to immediately return to your previous level of activity. Sometimes it is more useful to gradually increase the load and distribute tasks throughout the day.

If rest does not systematically restore strength, you should not attribute the condition only to a lack of motivation or “laziness.” In such a situation, it is important to look for a possible cause.

When to see a doctor

Contact your doctor if fatigue persists for several weeks, gradually worsens, appears for no apparent reason, or noticeably limits daily activities.

You can start with your family doctor or general practitioner. He will be able to assess your physical condition and determine whether additional examinations are needed.

If depressed mood, loss of interest and pleasure, severe anxiety, feelings of hopelessness, or other changes in mental state persist along with fatigue, it is worth contacting a psychiatrist or other mental health professional.

If you experience sudden severe weakness, difficulty breathing, chest pain, loss of consciousness, or other acute physical symptoms, seek immediate medical attention.