Depression is a condition that affects a large portion of the global population. It’s an issue that has increased in prevalence with the rise of technology and modern society. Ironically, the more choices and options we have, the more it makes us feel less capable and doubtful of our capabilities. This psychological dilemma causes us to feel helpless and unable to dictate our own fate, which can lead to chronic depression. Many people who experience depression also reports general fatigue and lack of energy, which leads many to speculate that the two conditions may be connected in one way or the other.
In this article, we’ll shed some light into the nature of these two conditions and how they may be related.
What doctors are sure of is that the unholy union of the economic necessity pressuring people to get more things done and an unhealthy lifestyle characterized by lack of quality sleep, excessive stress, poor nutrition, and bad food choices has fueled a surge of those experiencing CFS. The surge in CFS patients has already reached epidemic proportions.
What are the differences between depression and fatigue?
First off, we need to distinguish the two conditions from one another to minimize confusion and to provide a clear idea of why they aren’t clumped up together as one. While there are some overlaps between depression and fatigue, these two are not one and the same. We will go into detail of their similarities and differences down below:
What are the symptoms of depression?
Depression is a condition characterized by the chronic feeling of sadness and hopelessness, along with the unwillingness to participate in day-to-day activities. The patient will feel worthless and will refuse to engage with people, even their friends and family. They will show strong tendencies to seclude themselves from society and even the activities that they used to enjoy. They may also show signs of eating disorders and reduced cognitive ability. Patients with chronic depression will often report having a headache, cramps, and digestive issues, along with persistent insomnia.
How is depression different from chronic fatigue?
Patients with chronic fatigue syndrome often share some symptoms with depression, namely the lack of energy and general feelings of helplessness. However, the main differences are that there are usually some physical causes such as joint pain, tender lymph nodes, and muscle pain that may prevent them from engaging in the activities that they enjoy. Therefore, their tendency to become disengaged has a more physical root than depression. These are the significant distinctions between depression and fatigue that, when detected, can change the diagnosis altogether.
How are they connected?
The sense of “learned helplessness” is a condition in which one starts to lose self-worth due to their inability to take control of their life’s situation. When one’s diagnosed with chronic fatigue, the patient may feel as if they are unable to make an impact on the situation regardless of what they do. When combined with the lack of energy to go out and do things they love, the general fatigue will exacerbate, causing chronic depression to develop along with it. These two conditions feed onto one another, creating a long-lasting mental disorder that prevents one from enjoying their lives and being active. This is the reason why those who have chronic fatigue are likely to have depressive episodes as well.
How is depression diagnosed?
While depression may be an issue that affects the mental aspects of a person more than physically, there are still some physiological cues we can use to test for depression. For example, a blood test can reveal the hormone level to see if there’s a significant drop in serotonin and Oxycontin -- a common sign of depression. Additionally, an X-ray examination can show if there’s any change in the brain structure and activity that may indicate an early onset of depression.
If you know anyone who may need professional help to treat depression, Transformation Health is your best option. Get in touch with us today and see how we can help.
Transformation Health are experts in natural medicine and holistic therapy. If you're looking for a naturopath in Brisbane then why not contact us, we're here to help!
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