Tiredness

[bb]

Im finding it really hard coping with the tiredness.  It varies from really tired to exhaustion. it's so hard sometimes I can barely function.  getting out of bed is so hard with the school . Help

[Zaf]

Its one of the symptoms of depression I find the most difficult to cope with bb, the only thing that seems to work is to rest as much as you can

Z xx

[bookletters]

Ladies, have you had your thyroid function checked?!!
25% of women treated for depression in psychiatric wards have under functioning thyroids and need to take thyroxide. This can lead you feeling absolutely exhausted and depressed....

[bookletters]

Also, beware if your thyroid function is "bordeline" as it could still mean you will need thyroxide....
(Facts from: Sally Brampton "Shoot the Damn Dog")

[PaulaJo]

Hi bb, I know the feeling. My tiredness is physical as well as emotional.
I am still learning that I need to take extra care of myself (on so many levels - emotional, psychological, physical (food & exercise), and getting enough rest is very much a part of that.
Thanks for that, bookletters - that was the first thing my GP did - she had my bloodwork done to rule out thyroid problems.
I do miss my energetic former self, but hey, this is the card that has been dealt (I sound optimistic now, I know, but my point of view of the situation changes daily depending on my mood!). 

[bookletters]

This is not forever you know Paula.
I have read about people with depression treated with TMS and they recovered the energy they had lost 15 years ago some of them :)
Plus energy levels get better in depression right? Mine do once I am better....
I agree about the "cards I have been dealt".... I can be very rational about it all but in the middle of depression will cry and cry over this!
Silly illness lol

[PaulaJo]

Well, then I remain hopeful! 

At the moment anyway. And when I'm low I'll try not to think about it too much!

[bookletters]

Have you found your depression got worse with time?
I first had it aged 17, I am 30 and dreading what I am going to be like in 20 years time!!

[PaulaJo]

I first was put on AD when I was 20, and came off the AD finally in 2009. No formal diagnosis, if I remember correctly...

Then I was hit with it again this year.

But it felt quite different, somehow, this second bout of depression. My first bout was me just staying in my room, crying for days on end, no reason.
For this second bout, I have been able to function, go to work (only barely, on some days) etc, but this time I had really bad anxiety attacks & anxiety phases, and while I wasn't sitting in a heap crying all day, my thought pattern was along the lines of, "There is no point to life at all".

So yes, I suppose it did get worse, in a way.

[bookletters]

Okay, sounds different yeah. You shoudl deffo try CBT!!

[bookletters]

Funny, my depression seems different to yours!!
I am more of a "wake up early, loss of appetite" OMG big anxiety, thought racings but then AD kick in very quickly and after a few weeks usually I am a lot better. Some attacks are worse than others though (some of them I can't concentrate, can't read or enjoy much, others I don't really loose that...)

[PaulaJo]

It's weird, isn't it.
Damn illness 

[PaulaJo]

BB, are you on any medication? Could your GP suggest any multivitamins or other remedies you could try, to help give you more energy?

(I'm not saying that all you need are vitamins - this is often an outsider's simplistic answer to the tiredness issue, and an annoying suggestion when it comes from people who know nothing of depression! - but maybe trying some things out might help? I find a shot of Vitamin B12 can help a lot).

Let us know how you get on  %^%

[bookletters]

Sally Brampton's psychiatrist recommends Omega 3 (1000 EPA) every day (can take 3 months to make a difference though).
I take this and a good "vitamin B, folic acid..." (stress B complex multivitamin).
I have read people with energy issues recommending Rhodiola Rosea, hang on will find the article for you:
http://www.foxnews.com/health/2012/03/07/rhodiola-rosea-natures-anti-depressant/?

[bb]

I'm on medication , 40mg citalopram I've just started taking vitamin b12 only had it for 7 days. I've had thyroid test before come back ok and doctor just said I'm a tired person . I don't buy that , but I can relate to " that's the cards I've been dealt" . I really feel this illness is for ever.  Been diagnosed with recurrent depressive disorder.