ReviewBy Kevin RR Williams
Correlation Between Depression and Fatigue
May is Mental Health Awareness Month.
Why does depression make you feel tired? As long as you are awake, you are thinking. If you are depressed, your waking thoughts are not very pleasant. Sleeping is preferable. But to sleep night and day, you need some help. So you might begin taking over-the-counter antihistamine sleeping pills.
While awake, you might fear your own thoughts. In a way, it’s like inverse nightmares. So sleep appears to be an escape—until the nightmares begin invading them. Eventual insomnia can lead to stronger sleeping pills like benzodiazepines, barbiturates, or opiates. This can cause blackouts and other problems.
To keep you from spiraling down a path of drug dependency or abuse, doctors hesitate to prescribe sleep aids. Instead they recommend talk therapy. Getting to the root cause of depression is more effective than masking it.
Dealing with bills may feel overwhelming. You might feel trapped in a circumstance or relationship. Rather than mapping at a plan, it can seem easier to retreat into slumber. But procrastination often makes problems worse. Paperwork piles up. Debts gain interest. Relationships crumble.
If you have suicidal thoughts, call emergency services immediately or talk to a responsible friend who will do it for you. Within the United States, the phone number to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 1-800-273-8255.
Something better than sleeping days away is exercise. Even if it is not vigorous, a walk around a quiet neighborhood or park can be relaxing and stimulate clear thinking. In unsafe areas, a gym membership or a bus ride to a pleasant neighborhood might be more appropriate.
Procrastination is another symptom of depression. If papers are beginning to pile up, organize them into stacks. Later go through them again and sort them chronically. Then isolate the ones that require immediate attention.
Phone a trusted friend to discuss with you what can be done about them. By breaking large obstacles into small tasks and getting the help you need, you can feel A Bit More Healthy.
Main photo by Engin Akyurt from Pexels.
