Hi and thankyou for this forum

[fred987]

Hi,

Thanks for the existence of this forum.

I searched the web for answers to depression and fatigue and landed here.

I have reached a pinnacle today. I rang Lifeline and very helpful but have no cures.

I have been depressed for some time, many ongoing financial pressures which arent improving (in fact getting worse) work deadlines and day to day survival with my family. I just turned 60.

This weekend 2 thing happened and for the life of me I cant stay awake and I am sooo tired.

I was let down again by a group of friends (to do with music) on Friday-really hurt (been shut out by the people I introduced together) and now this weekend whenever I do gardening or other physical work (even playing music) I cant last for more than an hour or two without this overwhelming sense of fatigue. A few months ago my doctor prescribed an antidepressant medication which my wife is getting for me today.

A few weeks ago I saw a workplace Psychologist about the overwhelming work load and constant changes in my life and she was emphatic that I go on immediate stress leave. I cant do that financially and work commitments (mostly financial).

My question is: would the sudden overwhelming desire to sleep and profound lack of energy be part of my depression? Many thanks.

[Peppermintbach]

Hi fred,

Good on you for reaching out. It sounds like you have a lot going on. I think financial pressures are horrible and can definitely have an enormous impact on a person’s mood...

I feel it must have really hurt when you were left out by your friends. Very disappointing for you. The fatigue also sounds intense, but I’m glad you’re trying get to the bottom of things.

I’m only speaking as an unqualified peer (I’m not a doctor), but I know that some people do sleep more and have low energy levels when they are depressed. That being said, I can’t say definitively if that applies to you or not. I think your best bet is probably your GP...

I don’t know if you like this idea or not, but my gentle suggestion is to perhaps see your GP and mention the sleep and low energy levels. I feel it might also be worthwhile to ask for a full check-up while you’re there, just to rule out any underlying physical causes...those are some of my little ideas...

It’s good to have you opening up here. If you feel like it, it would be lovely to hear how you’ve been since your first post. No pressure of course, only when and if you feel up to it.

Kind and caring thoughts,

Pepper

[Doolhof]

Hi fred,

I too welcome you to the community here. Pepper has given you a supportive and kind response. As Pepper has mentioned, we are certainly not experts, we are a collection of people with lived experiences or know people with mental health conditions.

I won't repeat what Pepper has so wonderfully written.

My own experience with depression is that it can make me very tired, when that is the case I occasionally allow myself to rest and recuperate. Other times, if I feel like doing so will make me feel defeated, I will try hard to push through and do something positive or meaningful.

Some days even something as simple as driving to work along a different road if possible helps, or maybe save that for the trip home so you may have longer to do so.

Do something totally different on the weekend if you have weekends free. It could be as simple as having a picnic in a park.

I also find reading up about my conditions and how to assist myself can help. I've had some rather rotten periods of depression recently so know it is no fun at all! Trying something is better than nothing for me.

Wishing you all the best fred!

Cheers from Dools

[geoff]

Hi Fred, thanks for reaching out to us and really sorry for how you are feeling.

Your doctor has prescribed you antidepressants (AD) a few months ago as you have a number of issues that have been bothering you, so it's not easy to try and overcome these by yourself.

To answer your question is yes, depression does make us feel tired and with no energy, so we feel sleepy, and could have difficulty staying awake even while working and even if you have 12 hours per night, makes no difference, you wake up feeling as though you haven't slept at all.

Can you please let us know how you feel when you take your medication.

Geoff.

.

[White_Rose]

Dear Fred

Hello and welcome. It's great you googled BB and decided to post in here.

Dools and Pepper have made good suggestions which I will not add to. My concern is about you burning out with all the problems you have. I gather you have only just decided to take the antidepressant your GP prescribed. It will not work overnight so be prepared for the effect to kick in slowly until you get the full effect in the coming weeks. Meanwhile you will be getting some relief as your body starts reacting to the AD.

You said your workplace psychologist told you to take stress leave. It's probably correct. Do you have sick leave accrued, annual leave, long service leave? If so I suggest you take some of this leave. You will still be paid so no extra financial worry. Also I suggest you see the psychologist a few times. It's not going to affect your wallet so take advantage of this service to help yourself.

Being depressed can make us lethargic. I noticed how slowly I was walking at one time and how long the journey was from one room to another. No kidding, I was exhausted. As the AD kicks in it will help with your fatigue.

It is disappointing to be let down by friends. Do they know about your depression? I'm not suggesting you tell but if they already know perhaps you can chat with one or two of them. These things are made worse by being depressed. I can relate to the gardening. I find I cannot work outside in the summer because the heat is exhausting. I live in Qld. I had someone to do the heavy stuff for me but he recently had an accident and I look at my garden and shudder. So much work to have a garden I enjoy and now finding out how quickly it can look a mess.

If you think it helpful to use a helpline can you try the Suicide Call Back Service? No I don't think you are suicidal. These people are very good at their jobs and have professional training. They can both listen and help with making plans. The number is 1300 659 467 and is available 24/7. You can also look at their web site https://www.suicidecallbackservice.org.au/ I think they have online counselling as well. Also have a look at the SANE website. https://www.sane.org/

Please continue to write in here. I think others will make their suggestions as well.

Mary

[fred987]

Hi all,

I want to thank you for your kind and helpful replies.

Fatigue, affected by heat, lethargy, gloom etc is my world at the moment.

I am not suicidal, but I do occasionally think 'I just don't care what happens to me' which is so unlike me.

Unfortunately I am in no position financially or career wise to take any stress leave.

I will take the advice here and go to a GP for a complete physical to exclude any illness etc.

And I started my medication last night.

I was on another a few months ago, but used to wake up with a sudden rush to the toilet-which was a not-so-common side effect of that medication. Naturally I stopped taking it, and that's when the doctor prescribed me another-I'll wait and see for any side effects.

RE Friends-they have seen a change in me and I have little interest-more of a hassle to deal with the different personality types. I was thinking last night that I have changed in my interactions. More wary/hesitant and less open. But I do not think that I can be open to them re how I feel-others are going through their own stuff.

[Doolhof]

Hi fred,

Regarding friends and how they may react if we tell them about our issues, we will never know until we express ourselves.

You may find some people to be very supportive, others may tell you to "pull your socks up and get on with it". That may mean they have no understanding of depression and stress or they may actually want you to feel supported by their comment.

On Sunday a friend told me he doesn't understand my depression, I told him that was okay because I don't understand it either!

One thing depression can do is to keep us away from friends and family. It can make us feel like we want to be alone. If possible, try to push yourself to keep doing activities you used to enjoy. It can be tough! It is worth the effort.

Regarding medication, talk to your Dr about the side effects if they occur. A pharmacist may be able to help you as well.

Have a look at the "Discussing Medication" tab at the top of the page as well, if I remember right, there was some helpful information about medication there.

Hope you find ways to relieve your stress and anxiety at work. A friend used to draw pictures of the people she had issues with on balloons and then pop them. Or if you are more environmentally friendly, you can do the same on a paper bag, blow it up and then pop that or rip it up. It helped my friend!

Cheers from Dools