Episode 38: Tired, by host, Laura Milkins. Our guest, Dr. Kenneth Weene, tells the story of his experience with treating people with depression and his belief that depression is not a diagnosis but symptoms of a complex system. Sunday, October 9, 2016

“Depression and Fatigue: A Vicious Cycle, “written by Rachel Nall, RN, BSN, CCRN  and medically reviewed by Timothy J. Legg PhD, PMHNP-BC (excerpt)

What Are the Differences Between Depression and Fatigue?
The main difference between these conditions is that chronic fatigue syndrome is primarily a physical disorder while depression is a mental health disorder. There can be some overlap between the two.

Symptoms of depression can include:

• continuous feelings of sadness, anxiety, and/or emptiness
• feelings of hopelessness, helplessness, or worthlessness
• disinterest in hobbies you once enjoyed
• eating too much or too little
• trouble concentrating and making decisions

There are also some physical symptoms that can occur with depression. People may have frequent:

• headaches
• cramps
• stomach upset
• other pains

They may also have difficulty going to sleep or sleeping through the night, which can lead to exhaustion.

People with chronic fatigue syndrome often have physical symptoms that aren’t commonly associated with depression. These include:

• headaches
• joint pain
• tender lymph nodes
• muscle pain
• sore throat