Thursday, March 28, 2024

How To Get Over Fatigue From Depression

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How Are Cfs And Depression Different

Daily Routine To Fight Off Depression

CFS may have symptoms that donât happen with depression, like a frequent sore throat, weakness, and swollen or tender lymph nodes. Pain is more common with CFS than depression.

CFS symptoms like severe fatigue often start or get worse after physical activity, so it could help to cut back on exercise. Depression symptoms sometimes improve after physical activity, so more exercise might make you feel better.

People with CFS often view it as a physical illness. People with depression usually think of their illness as psychological.

When To Get Professional Help For Depression

If youve taken self-help steps and made positive lifestyle changes and still find your depression getting worse, seek professional help. Needing additional help doesnt mean youre weak. Sometimes the negative thinking in depression can make you feel like youre a lost cause, but depression can be treated and you can feel better!

Dont forget about these self-help tips, though. Even if youre receiving professional help, these tips can be part of your treatment plan, speeding your recovery and preventing depression from returning.

Take Care Of Yourself

Cortisol is known as the stress hormone, but it doesnt actually make you stressed. It helps your body respond to stress by making more glucose available, giving you a quick burst of energy. Because of this, stress is extremely demanding on the body. You can combat this by making sure to drink plenty of water, eat nourishing foods, and prioritize healthy sleep habits.

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How The Lost Art Of Breathing Can Impact Sleep And Resilience

Another way that chronic stress makes us feel exhausted is by interfering with sleep, says Bufka. When were feeling stressed, our sleep can get disrupted, which naturally leads to feelings of tiredness and exhaustion, she says.

We really rely on sleep to recover each day, explains Epel. And so for many of us, even though we might think were sleeping the same number of hours, its not the same quality. It doesnt have the same restorative ability, because were getting less deep sleep, and we think that is tied to this chronic, subtle uncertainty, stress.

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Seeking Professional Help To Resolve Low Energy And Fatigue

Pin on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis / Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Sometimes, persistent fatigue and low energy levels are your bodys way of telling you that something is not quite right inside your mind. If mental health is the culprit for your tiredness, speaking to a professional can be very beneficial, and at Brightside our expert providers are here to help you understand whats going on, and what you can do about it.

With Brightside, youll have unlimited access to expert psychiatric care, and well work with you to evaluate your symptoms and determine if depression or anxiety is a root cause. From there, well find a treatment personalized to you, including precision-prescribing where well match you with the right antidepressant medication based on what symptoms youre experiencing and what your needs are.

The first step towards getting a tailored treatment program is to fill out our free online assessment that helps us better understand your individual needs and concerns. From there, you will be matched with a psychiatric provider and/or therapist, setting you up to receive therapy, medication, or both depending on what youre going through and what treatment plan fits best for you. Either way, with Brightside, you can get the care you need in the comfort of your own home.

Now that the basics have been covered, lets talk about some other ways that you can reduce your fatigue and get your energy levels back on track.

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Anxiety And Depression During Postmenopause

During postmenopause, a lot of women will have the worst of menopause symptoms behind them, but that does not mean there are not a number of psychological and physiological symptoms that accompany the postmenopausal period, two of which are depression and anxiety. Although they may be discouraging, try your best to understand your symptoms. Keep reading for further information about depression and anxiety during postmenopause and how to deal with them.

Small Steps Big Impact

If a person feels sustained, intense, feelings of sadness or loss of interest in activities, they may have clinical depression. People also refer to this condition as major depressive disorder.

However, there are small steps you can take to help you gain more agency in your life and improve your sense of well-being.

Read on to learn how to incorporate these strategies in a way that makes sense for you.

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Can You Be Exhausted Mentally

Mental exhaustion is completely possible and is probably more common than it should be. After a long period of stress or time of intense emotions, mental exhaustion is bound to happen. Just like our bodies show symptoms after we push too hard, our minds are bound to display signs of mental exhaustion if we dont take proper care.

Or Spend Time With Loved Ones

Burn Out to Brilliance. Recovery from Chronic Fatigue | Linda Jones | TEDxBirminghamCityUniversity

Depression can tempt you to isolate yourself and withdraw from people you love and trust, but face-to-face time can help wash away those tendencies.

If youre unable to spend time together in person, phone calls or video chats can also be helpful.

Try to remind yourself these people care about you. Resist the temptation to feel like youre a burden. You need the interaction and they likely do, too.

Research has shown that keeping a journal can be a beneficial add-on method for managing mental health conditions.

Writing down your thoughts can help you express what youre feeling more clearly. It can also help you keep track of what symptoms youre having each day and identify what causes them.

You can make a goal to write for a few minutes each day or week. Most importantly, what you want to write about is completely up to you.

When you do the same thing day after day, you use the same parts of your brain.

Research shows doing new things can feel rewarding improve your overall well-being and strengthen your social relationships.

To reap these benefits, consider trying a new sport, taking a creative class, or learning a new cooking technique.

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Take An Actual Break To Reset Your Nervous System

There are likely a handful of things in your life that youve been engaging in that have been draining your metaphorical batteries for a while now. In order to earn your way back to a clean bill of health, you must begin by taking a proper break from the things that have been exhausting you.

Take a two week break from work. Start saying no to social events that drain you. Pass off your least favourite responsibilities to someone else for a while.

Yes, people will be disappointed with you. But your health comes first. Full stop.

Possible Mechanisms Of Fatigue

Fatigue is a complex concept involving both somatic information and the cognition that the intellectual or physical activity requires a higher share of the individualâs energy or that the individual is less productive than usual. Probably a multiplicity of pathways and substances are related to this complex feeling, especially serotonin, dopamine, the HPA axis, and inflammatory cascades involving substances like cytokines.

Information from basic sciences and sports medicine indicates that increased serotonin in certain areas of the brain, like the lateral hypothalamus, plays a role in the genesis of central fatigue. Serotonin agonists increase fatigue, and general serotonin antagonists reduce fatigue in animal models. It has been hypothesized that serotonin may induce fatigue through inhibition of the dopaminergic system and/or through the HPA axis.18,19

Dopamine has long been associated with fatigue, and the most potent stimulant agents currently available are dopaminergic. Central dopamine seems to be related to fatigue in an inverse way to serotonin. Dopamine metabolism is enhanced during exercise in the hypothalamus and other areas of the brain, and exercise endurance is impaired after destruction of dopaminergic neurons in animal models. Clinically, fatigue, a prominent symptom in Parkinsonâs disease, improves with both L-dopa and bilateral deep brain stimulation.20,21

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Volunteering Can Be A Great Way To Do Both

Knock out a few birds with one stone spending time with other people and doing something new by volunteering and giving your time to someone or something else.

You may be used to receiving help from friends, but reaching out and providing help may actually improve your mental health more.

Bonus: People who volunteer experience physical benefits, too. This includes a

Why Depression And Fatigue Are Connected

Chronic Fatigue: Easy Natural Remedies

There are reasons why nearly everyone who lives with depression is fatigued most of the time. When you understand the causes, you can address them and deal with your exhaustion. Four primary causes of depression fatigue are

  • Sleep difficulties

Depression interferes with sleep. Both depression and sleep are brain-based, and neural activity that is off-kilter disrupts normal sleep activity as well as contributes to depression. Hypersomnia and insomnia both contribute to depressions fatigue.

Another, lesser-known, sleep problem in depression is sleep inertia. Sleep inertia is a state of grogginess between being asleep and awake. For most people, it lasts mere minutes and isnt bothersome. For those with depression, though, sleep inertia can last for hours. This means that many people with depression must try to function when their brain isnt fully awake.

Lifestyle components like diet and stress levels also contribute to both depression and fatigue. The traditionally Western-style diets with red meat, processed and refined foods, and sugars have been implicated in depression . Stress, too, contributes to mood and exhaustion problems. Stress directly impacts brain chemistry, including neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine, both of which are associated with mood and energy. Stressful life events also take their toll on mental health and fatigue.

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How To Find The Best Supplements

All supplements carry risks as well as benefits. Some may have interactions with other medications that could cause long-term problems. Others shouldnt be taken by individuals with certain medical conditions, such as diabetes. The single most important thing to keep in mind with all of these supplements is to use them only as directed by a professional. Taking these things into your own hands can result in more problems.

Further, not all supplements are created equal so make sure that they are purchased from a reputable source. If you can, try to add more of these nutrients in your diet by consuming foods that contain them naturally. Your doctor can help you determine where you can make changes in your eating habits.

Always consult a specialist before adding any of these to your routine to find out how much is appropriate for you. With the right supervision and using these supplements properly, you may find that you have more physical and mental energy to face your daily activities, reduced risk of bone and joint issues, and can beat the challenges of depression.

If youre suffering from chronic pain along with any of these conditions, there is help. You can find a pain doctor in your area by clicking the button below or looking for one in your area by using the tips here: .

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Ways To Overcome Mental Exhaustion

When youre mentally exhausted, even fun things sound like work. This can make it even more challenging to manage stressors. However, it takes effort and awareness to change the patterns that lead to feeling mentally tired. The good news is that you dont have to tackle it all at once to start feeling better.

Try these 11 strategies for overcoming mental exhaustion:

  • Eliminate the stressor
  • Focus on what you can control
  • Talk to a coach or therapist
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    Men Are Taking Action

    Fortunately, more and more men, including professional athletes, musicians, actors, lawyers, businessmen, writers, tradesmen, teachers, men in the military, and everyone in between, are going public about depression and taking control of their health.

    The myths are breaking down, freeing guys to talk about and tackle their depression.

    What Is Mental Exhaustion

    How to overcome chronic fatigue syndrome FOREVER: #1 Tip to stop chronic fatigue forever

    Mental exhaustion is a feeling of extreme tiredness, characterized by other feelings including apathy, cynicism, and irritability. You may be mentally exhausted if youve recently undergone long-term stress, find it hard to focus on tasks or lack interest in activities you usually enjoy.

    Mental exhaustion often happens as a result of overuse, like physical overuse injuries. Even though you cant point to it, it has more in common with repetitive stress injuries, like carpal tunnel or tennis elbow. Rather than overstressing a muscle group, mental and emotional exhaustion come from overstressing your mind.

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    How Cfs And Depression Are Alike

    CFS and depression can cause fatigue, sleep problems, a lack of energy, pain, digestive problems, headaches, memory lapses, or trouble with concentration.

    The way you live with CFS is similar to the way you live with depression. You can try cutting back on activities or avoiding anything that causes stress.

    CFS and depression are chronic illnesses. Both conditions may last for years, although your symptoms could be better or worse at times.

    CFS and depression are more common in adults, but also affect children and teens. Women are more likely than men to be diagnosed with either CFS or depression.

    CFS and depression often affect more than one member of the same family.

    Turn To Role Models And Experts

    As you are working to streamline your life, remember that you dont have to reinvent the wheel. If there is some aspect of your life that is eating up your decision-making energy, turning to role models and experts can be a great way to simplify your life.

    There are people out there who are successfully doing what youd like to be doing. Watching and learning from them can be a great source of knowledge and inspiration. Follow their success model if you think it will work for you.

    Many people are more than happy to share what works for them, and even feel honored when you ask.

    So if youre starting something new :

    • Find out peoples best tips.
    • Implement the ones that seem like they would work.
    • Adjust, if necessary, for your life and situation.

    You can repeat this process in many different areas of your life. This works with studying, job strategies, fitness plans, and even stress management.

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    Talk To A Mental Health Professional

    Feeling tired all the time can be a sign of a mental health issue like depression. If your sleepiness becomes excessive and difficult to manage, ask your doctor for a referral to a mental health professional. Talking with a therapist, psychologist, or psychiatrist who can treat the underlying issue may help you feel better. They can also work with you to develop strategies to boost your energy.

    to read the entire article on Verywell Mind.

    Ways To Fight Low Energy And Fatigue

    Fighting for Fatigue &  Dealing with Depression

    Shannon,

    Director of Therapy

    10 Minute Read

    If you are dealing with ups and downs in your mental health, you likely know the feelings of low energy and fatigue all too well. Fatigue can certainly put a damper on your quality of life, and it can largely interfere with your ability to complete day-to-day tasks and activities like errands, household chores, or work. It can also impact your ability to socialize or engage in enjoyable activities.

    Fortunately, there are several different things you can do to help you fight off fatigue and get your energy back. That said, if you feel as though your fatigue is a result of a mental health condition such as anxiety or depression, it is important to seek mental health treatment so you can receive an appropriate diagnosis and receive evidence-based treatment and get back to feeling like you.

    Before diving into strategies for combating fatigue and low energy, lets talk about some common causes of these symptoms.

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    What Is The Treatment For Fatigue

    Treatment of fatigue depends mainly on the cause of it. If the cause is physical, the patient should be treated depending on this physical cause. If the cause is emotional, its better to convert the case to a specialist in this field to treat it. If you suspect depression, tell your patient to consult a psychiatrist to arrange a proper management plan.If you have been diagnosed with depression, once you treat depression, your fatigue will improve. But keep in mind that some antidepressants may itself cause fatigue. Try to arrange that with your doctor.

    Always remember that stimulants especially caffeine, are not a good way to treat fatigue. In fact, those may make your fatigue worse once you stop them.

    How Common Is Long Covid

    Different studies have varied wildly in their results, estimating that anywhere from 10% to 60% or more of COVID-19 patients may be affected by lingering symptoms such as fatigue, sleep problems, and mood changes. Even those who werent hospitalized and only experienced mild coronavirus symptoms may still experience long COVID. Perhaps the most startling research has suggested that up to one third of COVID-19 survivors are likely to suffer neurological or mental health problems within six months, ranging from mood disorders to dementia or stroke.

    If youve had and recovered from COVID-19, though, try not to let the numbers alarm you. Many long COVID symptoms are hard to quantify and some may be due to the trauma of the pandemic with all its stress, grief, isolation, and upheaval, rather than the virus itself. After all, how many of us havent experienced anxiety, a depressed mood, or had trouble sleeping or concentrating at some point during this difficult time?

    The length of the pandemic, its escalating death toll, and all the associated lockdowns, quarantines, and financial hardships have taken a huge toll on our collective mental health, with skyrocketing rates of anxiety, depression, and other emotional problemsall of which can trigger physical symptoms as well.

    Similarly, its common for long-term health effects such as fatigue, anxiety, and PTSD to follow treatment for any life-threatening illness, especially if it involves hospitalization .

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