Influencing Factors from a Mental Health Perspective
Depression
Exhaustion is a common symptom of depression, which has been related to a chemical imbalance in the brain’s neurotransmitters.
Disturbed sleep, which is linked to the illness, can also contribute considerably to fatigue. Some people have trouble getting to sleep or remaining asleep, while others have the opposite problem and sleep too much. You may feel listless and lethargic after experiencing either of these sleep disruptions.
Additional signs of depression include:2
- Alterations in appetite and/or body mass
- Challenges in focusing one’s attention or making sound judgments
- weakening of strength or stamina
- Remorse or a lack of self-esteem
- Depression and loss of interest in favourite past times
- persistent feelings of sadness, anxiety, or emptiness
- suicidal ideation
- Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at (800) 273-8255 if you or someone you know is having suicide thoughts. In an emergency, dial 911 for yourself or a loved one.
We encourage you to peruse our National Helpline Database for additional information on mental health services.
Get checked out by a medical professional if you suspect that you’re going through depression. They can suggest additional mental health professionals, such as a psychiatrist, who may prescribe antidepressants or therapy to help you deal with your feelings. Depression needs to be treated immediately.
Find Out About Available Depression and Anxiety Treatments
Disrupted sleep is a common symptom of anxiety and anxiety disorders because of the worry and nervousness that accompany them. Anxiety and lack of sleep may feed into one another, leading to a vicious cycle. Inevitably, this complicates treatment for both diseases.
The National Sleep Foundation reports that the following anxiety disorders may be linked to fatigue-inducing sleep disturbances: 3
Excessive, unwarranted anxiety is the hallmark of generalised anxiety disorder (GAD), one of the most frequent mental health conditions today.
People with social anxiety disorder (SAD) tend to stay away from groups of people for fear of being humiliated.
With OCD, the internal obsessions and compulsive actions can be exhausting and disrupt sleep. Mood disorders and OCD frequently occur together.
Terrorism-Related Stress Disorder (PTSD) PTSD5, which can develop in the wake of a traumatic experience and result in incapacitating anxiety, is frequently accompanied by flashbacks and nightmares.
Excessive worry, a symptom of panic disorder, can keep sufferers up at night. In addition to daytime attacks, people with panic disorders may also have them at night.
People who suffer from specific phobias have an unreasonable and profound aversion to specific situations or objects.
Untreated sleep issues, such as insomnia, have been linked to the emergence of anxiety disorders.
Stress
Lack of sleep is a common side effect of stress. Weakness and exhaustion are additional symptoms of stress. There isn’t a single person alive who hasn’t felt stress’s destructive effects. Unchecked stress can also have negative effects on one’s disposition. Some forms of sadness and anxiety can be brought on by prolonged or extreme stress.
Stress, like anxiety, can make it difficult to fall asleep, and difficulty falling asleep can elevate stress levels throughout the day. For instance, you may have difficulties falling asleep because you’re scared that you won’t get enough sleep, despite knowing that you need to get a full night’s sleep so that you have energy the next day.
Unless your stress is extremely acute, there are several non-medical ways to deal with it. Yoga nidra, often known as “yogic sleep,” and meditation are two tried-and-true practises for relieving stress and enhancing sleep quality.
Disorder of Bipolar Affective
Extreme mood swings, characteristic of bipolar disorder, can disrupt sleep. People with bipolar disorder frequently experience sleep disruptions like insomnia, bad dreams, and irregular waking times, which can lead to feelings of exhaustion and a lack of energy throughout the day. 9
Consult your doctor about effective treatment for sleep difficulties brought on by bipolar disorder.
AD/HD, or Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
ADHD is a mental health condition that affects a large percentage of the general population, both children and adults, and is frequently accompanied with trouble sleeping. People with ADHD may have trouble sleeping, including trouble falling asleep or staying asleep, trouble waking up, and excessive daytime sleepiness and weariness. The insomnia-inducing side effects of several ADHD medicines are well-documented.
Treatment for ADHD typically begins with an evaluation of the patient’s sleep routine and habits. Studies have indicated that helping people develop better sleep habits can enhance their quality of life and lessen the severity of ADHD symptoms.
Physique
Thyroid disorders and chronic fatigue syndrome can cause depression-like lethargy.
Fibromyalgia, sleep apnea, or an autoimmune illness like rheumatoid arthritis or lupus may cause fatigue.
Here are physical causes that could drain your energy and what you can do.
Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism can make basic tasks exhausting. Your thyroid generates hormones that regulate your metabolism. Your metabolism slows without enough hormones. Fatigue, weight gain, and sadness can result.
69% of hypothyroidism patients report depression, according to study.
Hypothyroidism is treated with thyroid-boosting medicines. Once the thyroid problem is treated, fatigue symptoms may improve or disappear. Your doctor will check your thyroxine and thyroid-stimulating hormone levels in blood to confirm the diagnosis (TSH).
ME/CFS
Chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) causes significant and persistent fatigue. The weariness often comes with cognitive issues, headaches, and muscle and joint aches.
Chronic fatigue sufferers want to do things yet lack energy. CFS combines symptoms with other medical and psychological conditions, thus it’s often misdiagnosed as depression. CFS and mental conditions can coexist.
Chronic fatigue syndrome has an unknown aetiology and is treated with drugs and lifestyle changes.
Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia can cause chronic exhaustion and body pain.
The illness is characterised by painful tender spots in various muscles. Chronic tiredness and fibromyalgia cause sleep disturbances. Fibromyalgia research is ongoing.
40% of fibromyalgia patients also experience serious depression.
Fibromyalgia has no specific test. Doctors must analyse your health history and symptoms. Chronic pain, exhaustion, and sleep disturbances are usually diagnostic. Medications and lifestyle adjustments are used to treat fibromyalgia.
AUTOIMMUNE DISEASES
Immune system disorders include bodily attacks. Autoimmune diseases include rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and celiac. Diabetes and multiple sclerosis have autoimmune components (MS).
These less frequent illnesses can have similar symptoms as depression. Autoimmune illnesses have depression-like symptoms. 19 These symptoms are related with psychosocial issues, persistent pain, and protracted periods of disability.
Autoimmune disorders can also cause depression. Autoimmune disease increases depression risk by 45%, according to a big study.
AAP
Occlusive sleep apnea can generate depression-like symptoms. Obstructive sleep apnea interrupts breathing during sleep, sometimes for 10 seconds. This can happen 20 times every hour.
This causes daytime weariness, morning headaches, and impaired attention.
It affects mood, too. 46% of sleep apnea patients report depressive symptoms, according to one study.
Consult your doctor if you suspect a sleep issue. Your doctor may also evaluate your medical history, perform a physical exam, and order a sleep study. They may also request tests to rule out other possible causes of your symptoms.
Chronic sleep loss:
Anemia, iron-deficient
Lack of red blood cells causes iron-deficiency anaemia fatigue. Iron is used to form haemoglobin, which delivers oxygen throughout the body.
Without enough iron, your blood can’t carry enough oxygen. This makes you sluggish, irritated, and unfocused. Dull skin, disorientation, and shortness of breath may also occur.
Anemia has numerous causes besides iron deficiency, so your doctor may ask about your diet and lifestyle and request extra testing.
Dehydration, malnutrition
Keeping hydrated and eating right boosts energy. Dehydration causes sleepiness, fatigue, and irritability, according to research.
Not receiving enough calories, refined carbs, or protein can also cause fatigue.
27 Wheat, peanut, or dairy allergies may cause fatigue.
Lifestyle
If you’re tired, you may not be getting enough exercise. Sedentary lifestyles might cause weariness and sleep problems, research reveals.
Cigarettes and alcohol can also impair sleep and cause grogginess.
Alcohol and sleep disorders
Depending on the severity of your symptoms and whether you have a psychiatric or medical issue, anyone can enhance their sleep and have more energy the next day.
Regularly exercise. Regular exercise benefits your mental and physical wellness. Energy and sleep will improve.
Short-sleep. Too much daytime sleep might make it difficult to fall or stay asleep at night. 20- to 30-minute naps might provide you a rapid burst of slumber without interfering with bedtime.
Bedtime ritual. Every night, unwind with routines. Take a hot shower or bath, read a paperback book, or meditate to quiet your body and mind. Follow your bedtime ritual each night to set the setting for a solid night’s sleep. Be sure to make your bedroom as dark as possible, too.
Avoid caffeine, alcohol, and other stimulants before bed. Drinking coffee, soda, or other caffeinated beverages in the late afternoon or evening can make it harder to go asleep and stay asleep, as does drinking alcohol.
If you smoke cigarettes, consider stopping.
Power down your devices. Leave the screens in another room. Scrolling before bedtime can make it more difficult for your mind to wind down and prepare for sleep. Make the bedroom a no-phone zone, if possible.
