Depression and fatigue are two closely related human problems. Those who are chronically fatigued find it easier to contract depression than the rest of the population. Alternatively, the depressed portion of the population finds itself suffering from chronic fatigue at rates much higher than average.
This relationship was borne out by a 2004 study by Greek scientist Petros Skapinakis, MD, MHD, PhD. The study, “Temporal Relations Between Unexplained Fatigue and Depression: Longitudinal Data from an International Study in Primary Care,” was published in Psychosomatic Medicine and followed 3,201 subjects for 12 months. The object was to clarify the relationship between fatigue and depression. The results, as expected, showed a strong correlation between fatigue and depression. Those suffering from chronic depression were more than 4 times as likely to develop unexplained chronic fatigue. Similarly, those already suffering from unexplained chronic fatigue were nearly 3 times as likely to realise an onset of depression. The study did not clarify whether the two syndromes caused each other, or were caused by another, independent factor.
This result can be depressing for those currently struggling with mental health issues. Depression is often compounded with a lack of energy and difficulty sleeping. The average person struggles to rise out of bed in the morning to go to work. The depressed person often awakes with an unhappy day awaiting them and no energy to face it. However, there are some basic steps that can be taken to improve one’s condition.
1. Exercise regularly- this is perhaps the most important step you can take to combat both fatigue and depression. Regular exercise helps to relax the body and prepare it for sleep. Exercise also produces endorphins, which are natural stimulants that improve one’s mood.
2. Develop a sleep pattern- go to sleep at night and wake up in the morning at the same time every day. This will help to steady your body’s natural clock. When your body knows what time to expect sleep, it will subconsciously prepare you to relax and get a full sleep.
3. Avoid eating full meals right before bed- do not eat large meals 30 min to 1 hour before bed. Give yourself time to digest before laying down for the night.
4. Do not fight the insomnia- if you are struggling to get to sleep, get out of bed. Do some other activity until you are tired again and ready to sleep. You want to associate your bed with sleep only, not with struggle.
Consistent application of these techniques will help you overcome the terrible downward spiral that is depression and fatigue.
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There are many different forms of depression. Most children with depression have a type of major depression. This form obstructs a person’s ability to enjoy life and engage in normal activities. Some children and teens may also suffer from a milder type of depression called Dysthymic Disorder, which is a long-term type of depression with less severe symptoms than major depression. A rarer but still common type of depression is manic-depression (bipolar disorder), which is characterized by mood shifts from extreme happiness to extreme sadness.