Fatigue and Depression

Depression and chronic fatigue syndrome are two conditions that can be easily mistaken for each other. The former can be a symptom of the latter and both can cause very similar effects to those who have the condition. However, these two conditions are different and therefore require different treatments as well (although antidepressants can be used in both cases). Therefore in diagnosing a condition, it is important to distinguish which is which.

Chronic fatigue syndrome is characterized by a relentless fatigue that is not related to exertion and lasts for at least 6 months, have a hard time with concentrating or short-term memory, sore throat, tender lymph nodes, muscle pain, multi-joint pain without inflammation, headaches of a new type, unrefreshing sleep, discomfort after a physical exertion that lasts for at least a day, dizziness, body coordination balance problems, bloating, nausea, confusion and weight loss. These symptoms have a sudden, rapid onset, and is commonly accompanied with flulike symptoms.

On the other hand, the symptoms of depression tend to advance slowly on those who have it. Among its symptoms that are also found in chronic fatigue syndrome patients are change in weight, nonrestful sleep, sleeping more than usual, fatigue and low energy, and problem with thinking, concentrating, and making decisions.

The differences between the two conditions can be found in the predispositions of the people who have them. People with chronic fatigue syndrome still have the desire to do activities although they are unable to do so due to their condition, while depressed people have no interest at all in doing things that they used to love. Depressed people often have insomnia and therefore unable to get a good rest while those who have chronic fatigue syndrome can sleep but it doesn’t relieve their fatigue. Also, depressed people have feelings of low self-esteem, unreasonable guilt, hopelessness, and helplessness; people who have chronic fatigue syndrome does not have those feelings, unless they already have depression due to their condition.

While these two conditions are closely related to each other, the distinction between the two is important so as to be able to treat the problem with the proper solution and not cause further complications anymore.