But just because you’re tired all the time doesn’t necessarily mean that you’re depressed.
The fact is there are many underlying conditions that could be responsible forfeeling tired all the time.
While some people may have difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, others may oversleep.
Verywell / Nusha Ashjaee
Both of these sleep disturbances can leave you feeling apathetic and sluggish.
If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911.
For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.
If you think you may be experiencing depression, talk to your doctor.
Don’t let depression go untreated.
This, of course, can make it difficult to manage both conditions.
Stress can also wear you down and cause you to feel fatigued.
We’ve all experienced the repercussions of stress at one time or another.
If left unmanaged, stress can also wreak havoc on your mood.
Stress can be a trigger for depression and anxiety disorders.
Like anxiety, stress can contribute to poor sleep and poor sleep cancreate stress.
Fortunately, there are many ways to combat stress that don’t require sleep aids or medications.
Mindful Moment
Feeling sluggish?
Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorderis characterized by extreme shifts in mood, energy, and activity.
Many of the medications used to treat ADHD can also impact sleep.
Sleep patterns and habits are usually assessed when treating ADHD.
Here are some physical factors that could be draining your energy and what you might do about it.
Your thyroid is a small gland in the front of your neck that produces hormones that regulate your metabolism.
When it’s not producing enough of these hormones, your metabolism slows down.
This can lead to fatigue, weight gain, and even depression.
Some research suggests that over 60% of people with thyroid disorders may experience symptoms of depression.
The traditional treatment for hypothyroidism involves medications that increase thyroid levels in your body.
Symptoms of fatigue may get better or go away once the thyroid condition has been treated appropriately with medication.
This is often accompanied by unrefreshing sleep, cognitive issues, and changes in blood pressure and pulse.
Those with chronic fatigue still have an interest in activities but lack the energy and capacity to do them.
People may also experience both CFS and a psychiatric condition at the same time.
Sleep disturbance is also common in chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia.
Research is ongoing into the causes of fibromyalgia.
Estimates suggest that 40% of people with fibromyalgia also have a co-occurring major depressive disorder.
There is no specific test that can diagnose fibromyalgia.
Instead, doctors must rely on an assessment of your health history and symptoms.
Diagnosis typically requires the presence of widespread chronic pain, fatigue, and sleep disturbance.
Treatment for fibromyalgia usually involves a combination of medication and lifestyle changes.
Autoimmune Disorders
Autoimmune disorders involve the immune system attacking the body.
Rheumatoid arthritis,lupus, andceliac diseaseare examples of autoimmune disorders.
Autoimmune processes have also been implicated in certain types of diabetes and multiple sclerosis (MS).
While these conditions aren’t as common as depression, they can present with similar symptoms.
Dealing with an autoimmune disorder can also increase your risk of developing depression.
Obstructive sleep apnea is a condition where your breathing is interrupted during sleep for longer than 10 seconds.
This can happen many times an hour.
One study found that approximately 46% of people with sleep apnea have symptoms of depression.
If you think you have a sleep disorder, speak with your doctor.
They may also order additional tests to rule out other medical conditions that may be causing your symptoms.
When you don’t have enough iron, your blood can’t carry enough oxygen to your body.
This can leave you feeling sluggish, fatigued, and lightheaded.
You may also have dull or pale skin and experience headaches, dizziness, and shortness of breath.
Research shows that a lack of fluid intake is associated with sleep issues, fatigue, and alertness.
Research shows a sedentary lifestyle can lead to fatigue and difficulty sleeping.
Cigarettes and alcohol can also affect sleep quality and leave you feeling groggy the next day.
If you are experiencing persistent tiredness and fatigue, it is important to seek a proper diagnosis.
It’s also possible to have more than one diagnosis (known ascomorbidity) contributing to your symptoms.
For example, there are people who have both clinical depression and hypothyroidism.
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