The Connection Between Depression & Tiredness

Does Depression Make You Tired?

Fatigue is a hallmark symptom of major depressive disorder (MDD), affecting over 90% of those diagnosed, according to studies. This widespread tiredness impairs concentration, increases irritability, and lowers productivity, significantly impacting daily life.

Why Does Depression Make You Tired?

There are several reasons why depression contributes to decreased energy levels and mental exhaustion. Understanding this means you can take active steps to eliminate the impact of poor sleep hygiene.

It makes everyday tasks feel draining

When you’re depressed, it can be incredibly difficult to accomplish anything — even the seemingly small tasks in your daily life can feel insurmountable. Things like brushing your teeth, showering, and getting dressed can become so daunting and overwhelming that you might want to give up entirely.

In addition to making you feel sad, research shows us that depression can make it difficult to focus. As a result, those mundane tasks can be harder to take on when you’re depressed because of mental exhaustion.

Many people with depression feel overwhelmed by everyday responsibilities. Since getting things done can be hard when you’re depressed, those simple things you just did every day can suddenly become exhausting. The end result? Depression leaves you feeling even more tired than usual at the end of the day.

It interferes with reward systems

Our brains have built-in reward pathways. When you finish a task or do something you enjoy, the brain releases a feel-good hormone called dopamine. This system helps you focus and motivates you to complete essential tasks.

Depression is associated with decreased dopamine levels that hinder reward processing. This can leave you feeling tired and unmotivated. In turn, it might cause you to feel like you don’t have the energy to start new activities or do what you need.

It can make it harder to sleep

Depression can get in the way of sleep quality, preventing your body from getting the rest it needs. People with depression often struggle to fall or stay asleep. They may find themselves lying awake in bed for hours or feeling like they haven’t slept at all.

Not only does depression make you tired, but being tired can actually exacerbate existing depressive symptoms. People with insomnia are significantly more likely to experience depression.

It increases stress levels

Like tiredness, emotional stress can be a symptom and cause of depression. Stress can make depression symptoms more intense and negatively affect mood. It’s also known to be a contributor to feelings of tiredness.

Chronic stress can disrupt sleep and lead to depression-related fatigue. It can cause you to feel emotionally and physically exhausted. Stress can be taxing, making it hard to find the energy for everyday tasks.

It causes chemical imbalances

Depression is often linked to chemical imbalances in the brain, particularly concerning neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine. These chemicals play a crucial role in regulating mood, energy levels, and overall feelings of well-being. An imbalance can lead to chronic fatigue, making it a prominent physical symptom of this mental health condition. Addressing these imbalances through depression treatment can help alleviate tiredness.

It leads to emotional exhaustion

Dealing with the constant burden of symptoms can lead to emotional exhaustion. The state of being emotionally drained and worn out is a common depression symptom, contributing to feelings of tiredness and low mood. Emotional exhaustion can make even the simplest tasks feel overwhelming, further exacerbating the cycle of depression and fatigue.

Depression medication can make you tired

For many dealing with severe depression, antidepressant medication is a part of their treatment plan. While these medications can be effective in managing depressive symptoms, they can also have side effects, including increased tiredness or changes in sleep patterns. It’s important to discuss any concerns about side effects with a mental health professional to adjust the treatment plan as needed.

Understanding the Differences Between Depression, Tiredness, & Fatigue

It’s clear that depression and feeling tired are connected, but it’s important to note that a lack of energy doesn’t necessarily mean you’re depressed. Depression can cause tiredness, but plenty of other reasons may be the culprit of low energy. For example, other health conditions, unhealthy eating habits, a lack of physical activity, dehydration, or poor sleep quality can all be factors of decreased energy levels. Of course, as we know, these are all symptoms of depression as well, further entwining the two.

What’s the difference between tiredness and fatigue? For one thing, it’s completely normal to feel tired when your body needs better sleep. However, when you’re fatigued, it’s more than just “being sleepy.” Feelings of exhaustion and sluggishness are better descriptions. Also, when dealing with depression-related fatigue, you might find that sleeping doesn’t make you feel any less tired.

The overlap between fatigue and depression can make it hard to tell the difference between the two conditions. Since fatigue can lead to depression and depression can cause fatigue, it’s best to talk to a medical or mental health professional about your symptoms so you can get the care you need.

Is tiredness a form of depression?

Tiredness can be a sign of depression. In fact, it’s often one of the first symptoms many people experience. It’s common for someone with depression to feel physically and emotionally drained.

While depression is strongly associated with feelings of sadness or hopelessness, tiredness and a lack of energy are equal indicators. Of course, not everyone with depression feels tired, but since there’s a link between depression and sleep difficulties, many people living with depression wind up feeling exhausted.

How to Cope with Depression-Related Fatigue & Tiredness

Why does depression make you tired, and how can you deal with it? It can be challenging to manage depressive symptoms, especially when you’re tired. However, the right coping strategies and tools can help you manage depression fatigue.

Sleep habits

Developing a healthy sleep habit is essential. One of the most effective ways to combat tiredness related to depression is by practicing good sleep hygiene.

Depression and sleep disturbances are often co-occurring conditions. Healthy sleep habits can relieve tiredness and other depressive symptoms. Habits that are associated with a healthy sleep routine might include:

• Going to bed and waking up at the same time every day (yes, even on weekends)
• Only using your bed for sleep
• Sleeping in a dark and quiet environment
• Creating a bedtime routine
• Turning off electronic devices before you go to sleep
• Staying away from food, sugar, and caffeine in the hours before bed
• Avoiding long naps

Stress management

Since stress can interfere with sleep, it can be beneficial to find ways to manage your stress levels so you can relax when it’s time for bed.

Physical activity and a healthy diet can reduce stress levels and improve other symptoms of depression. In addition, practicing self-care is one of the best ways to treat depression and tiredness.

Supplements & vitamins

Incorporating certain supplements and vitamins for depression into your daily routine can support energy levels. Vitamin B12 and Vitamin D have been linked to improved mood and energy in individuals with depression. However, it’s crucial to consult with a healthcare provider before starting any new supplement to ensure it complements your depression treatment and addresses specific health conditions.

Mindfulness & relaxation techniques

Mindfulness and relaxation techniques offer a powerful way to combat the tiredness often accompanying depression. By engaging in meditation, individuals can foster a sense of calm and clarity, reducing the mental clutter that contributes to fatigue. 

• Deep breathing exercises serve to regulate the body’s stress response, promoting relaxation and making it easier to fall asleep. 
• Progressive muscle relaxation, through its step-by-step approach to tensing and then relaxing muscle groups, can alleviate physical tension and prepare the body for restorative sleep. 

Incorporating these practices into a daily routine not only improves sleep quality but also directly targets the lethargy tied to depressive states, offering a path toward energy renewal.

For more tips and a deeper dive into combating depression-related fatigue, explore other natural remedies for depression.

Get Professional Mental Health Help with Talkspace

Tiredness, low energy, and fatigue are all common depression symptoms. Unfortunately, these types of signs can significantly interfere with your overall well-being, which is why it’s so important to seek help.

At Talkspace, you can find an online therapist to help you learn how to deal with depression and cope with symptoms like tiredness. Depression is common, but it’s also very treatable. Therapy for depression can improve your quality of life and ensure you’re managing your symptoms and not letting related tiredness impact your life. Reach out to a Talkspace therapist today if you’re hoping to relieve your symptoms and treat your depression and tiredness.

Talkspace is an online therapy platform changing how people think about and access important mental health care. Our digital approach to care means you can get trained, experienced, and qualified therapists to help you address and manage any mental health care condition, including depression fatigue. Get started today with our depression test to learn more about your symptoms.