Tired All the Time It Might Not Be Depression

Tired All the Time It Might Not Be Depression Depression Symptoms Print Tired All the Time? It Might Not Be Depression Depression-Like Symptoms That Could Point to Another Illness By Leonard Holmes Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Daniel B. Block, MD on January 28, 2020 twitter linkedin Daniel B. Block, MD, is an award-winning, board-certified psychiatrist who operates a private practice in Pennsylvania. Learn about our Medical Review Board Daniel B. Block, MD Updated on February 10, 2020 Basak Gurbuz Derman / Getty Images More in Depression Symptoms Causes Diagnosis Treatment Types Childhood Depression Suicide In This Article Table of Contents Expand Depression-Like Symptoms Thyroid Problems Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Fibromyalgia Autoimmune Disorders Sleep Disorders View All Back To Top Sometimes symptoms that seem to point to depression can actually be pointing to something else entirely. Here, we look at illnesses that have similar symptoms to depression. Verywell / Nusha Ashjaee Depression-Like Symptoms Imagine that you have the following complaints: You are tired all the timeYou have no motivation for things you once enjoyedYouve had a change in your eating habits (either eating more or lost your appetite)You lack energyYou are sleeping a lot (or you have trouble sleeping)You are depressed or anxious While these symptoms are often caused by depression, they could be caused by several other conditions. For example, thyroid problems and chronic fatigue syndrome  can also result in these symptoms. Its even possible, although probably less likely, that you have fibromyalgia, sleep apnea, or an autoimmune disorder, such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus. Thyroid Problems Thyroid problems can lead to either weight loss and feelings of anxiety, or weight gain and feelings of depression.?? They can also result in a complex mix of symptoms that dont seem to make sense. Other common symptoms of hypothyroidism include those that are also common in depression, such as difficulty concentrating, sluggishness, and fatigue.   While they are separate conditions, depression can often be a symptom of hypothyroidism. The traditional model of thyroid function suggests that hypothyroid (underactive thyroid) results in depression and weight gain,  while hyperthyroid (overactive  thyroid) results in anxiety and weight loss. Research suggests that nearly 70% of people who are diagnosed with hypothyroidism experience symptoms of depression.?? The traditional treatment involves medications that bring your body chemistry under control. Symptoms of depression may get better or go away once the underlying thyroid condition has been treated appropriately with medication. In order to determine what is going on, your doctor will use blood tests to confirm the presence of a thyroid condition. These tests look at the levels of thyroid hormones including thyroxine and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). However, standard blood tests may sometimes miss T3 and T4 hormone levels, which can also be indicators of thyroid functioning. If you are having symptoms of depression, talk to your doctor about the possibility of a thyroid condition. Ask your doctor to check free T3 and free T4 levels along with TSH. Overview of Thyroid Disease Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a condition that is characterized by severe fatigue that interferes with your everyday life, as well as several other symptoms  such as memory problems, headaches, and muscle and joint aches.?? The underlying cause of chronic fatigue syndrome hasnt yet been discovered, and treatment may involve certain medications or alternative therapies. Because chronic fatigue syndrome shares symptoms with other medical and psychiatric illnesses, it is not uncommon for it to be misdiagnosed as depression or some other condition. People may also experience both CSF and depression at the same time. One important distinction between the two conditions is that while individuals with depression feel disinterested in doing the things they used to enjoy, those with chronic fatigue usually still have an interest in activities but lack the energy to do them. Talk to your doctor if you have symptoms such as severe fatigue so that you can be evaluated to determine if it is CSF, depression or some other factor causing your exhaustion. Overview of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Fibromyalgia Fibromyalgia seems to overlap with chronic fatigue, but people with this disorder also have chronic pain all over their bodies.?? The disorder is usually diagnosed by tender points  in certain muscles that respond with pain when touched a certain way. Sleep disturbance is also common in chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia. Research is ongoing into the causes of fibromyalgia  and treatment often involves a multi-pronged approach. Estimates suggest that 40% of people with fibromyalgia also have a co-occurring major depressive disorder.?? Like depression, there is no specific test that can diagnose fibromyalgia. Instead, doctors must rely on an assessment of your health history and symptoms. While fibromyalgia shares some common symptoms with depression, diagnosis of the condition requires the presence of widespread pain and tenderness in the body. Treatment for fibromyalgia usually involves a combination of treatments, therapies, and lifestyle changes. Pain medications and antidepressants are often used to control some of the symptoms of this condition. Overview of Fibromyalgia Autoimmune Disorders Autoimmune disorders involve the immune system attacking the body. Rheumatoid arthritis and lupus are examples of autoimmune disorders. Autoimmune processes have also been implicated in diabetes and multiple sclerosis (MS). These disorders almost always involve a complex symptom picture, which can include depression.?? While these conditions arent nearly as common as depression, they can present with some similar symptoms. One study found that autoimmune disorders may play a role in triggering the onset of depression.?? The study found that having an autoimmune disorder increased the risk of subsequent depression by 45%.   Depression may be linked to autoimmune conditions for biological reasons, but dealing with chronic illness can also contribute to symptoms of depression. Research has found that depressive symptoms typically emerge over the course of an autoimmune condition and are associated with psychosocial factors, chronic pain, and long periods of disablement.?? Overview of Autoimmune Diseases Sleep Disorders Sleep disorders, such as obstructive sleep apnea, can also cause many symptoms similar to those of depression.?? Sleep apnea is a type of sleep disorder that causes people to stop breathing in their sleep. It can make sleep difficult and lead to daytime fatigue. Past research has shown that sleep disturbances can have a serious impact on mood.?? One study found that approximately 46% of people with sleep apnea have symptoms of depression.?? If you snore or if you feel that your sleep is disturbed, speak with your doctor about the possibility of further testing. Your doctor will evaluate your health history and look for symptoms of sleep apnea or another sleep disorder. These symptoms may include snoring, excessive daytime tiredness, dry mouth, difficulty sleeping, and repeated nighttime waking. Overview of Sleep Apnea A Word From Verywell While depression remains one of the most common causes of symptoms like tiredness and fatigue, its not the only condition that produces depression-like symptoms, which underscores the importance of seeking a proper diagnosis. Its also possible to have more than one diagnosis (known as comorbid conditions) with overlapping symptoms. For example, there are people who have both clinical depression and hypothyroidism. Your best bet is to work with your health care provider in exploring your symptom picture and getting an official diagnosis. How to Talk to Your Doctor About Depression