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PTSD, chronic fatigue, depression?

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Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
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Posted 10/18/2018 8:07 AM (GMT -7)
Posted Today 10:04 AM (GMT -6)Options ▼
Hi everyone,

I get random hits of severe fatigue/weakness that is only relieved by laying down. I don’t have any underlying medical issues that I know of, but have severe and diagnosed PTSD after suffering from both antenatal and PPD. I am 10 months postpartum. Curious how to distinguish depressive fatigue from chronic fatigue? Also, for those of you that work or are active, what do you do when you get a strong wave of fatigue and can’t lay down?
Posted 10/19/2018 2:27 PM (GMT -7)
Hi Faith,

I searched around and found a very good page describing the differences in an easy and concise way. Hopefully this might help you see the difference. Remember one condition doesn't exclude having the other also. I have both depression and PTSD plus chronic fatigue. It's a real battle each hour of the day to be productive in some way. I try to have a list of 3 things I plan to get done by the end of the day and that is helping me feel like I'm accomplishing something.

Warmly,
Chutz

"Differences and similarities between chronic fatigue syndrome and depression

Depression differs from chronic fatigue syndrome in many ways but also shares some commonalities. First, major depressive disorder is a psychological disorder that is not preceded by a viral illness and symptoms of depression must be longstanding for at least six months. Individuals with chronic fatigue disorder may have signs and symptoms of depression secondary to not being able to be productive but there is no standing history of depression. The primary signs and symptoms of depression include sad mood, social isolation and negative thoughts and although fatigue and poor concentration are symptoms, they are not the primary symptoms like they are in chronic fatigue disorder. So although there is some overlap in the two disorders, there are many subtle differences that should be picked up by a healthcare provider."
from:
https://centerfordiscovery.com/blog/chronic-fatigue-syndrome-versus-depression/
Posted 10/20/2018 2:22 PM (GMT -7)
Dear Faith 224,
I had postpartum and it took a year to recover. Unfortunately, that was almost 30 years ago. I have other issues now and I also use the 3 thing list. If I cross off 2 I feel validated. Hoping and praying for your findings. Wish I had more to contribute.
Posted 10/20/2018 4:34 PM (GMT -7)
Thanks so much for sharing this with me, that sounds like a very good breakdown. This all started with postpartum and antenatal depression for me, not after a virus. It’s always worse in the early afternoon and late afternoon, and I never experience the fatigue in the evening. It’s really interesting that laying down stops this fatigue pretty quickly. I hope you’re feeling well-I love your idea about accomplishing three things a day.
Posted 10/21/2018 4:16 PM (GMT -7)
Hi,

I’m so sorry to hear you had postpartum, I’m glad you got well! It could be so hard to remember that you can get well again!
Posted 1/16/2019 2:56 PM (GMT -7)
Hi,

My CF began when the depression and PTSD intensified due to several problems I've been dealing with for a long time. It's as if I buried the painful memories and they all came back when one more blow hit me. I too could just sleep all day. Caught myself falling asleep in the shower the other day. Not good! Sometimes caffeine helps so I'll have a soda and that often picks me up. Right after supper when I tired from standing in the kitchen at the end of the day, I get so sleepy. If I sit down I fall asleep for at least an hour. Then can't get to sleep at bedtime. I try to keep on my feet or keep busy doing something so I don't sleep after supper. It's helping but it's often hard to do.

The more we share things that help whatever condition is affecting our lives the better off we all will be.

Warmly,
Chutz
Posted 9/24/2019 10:33 PM (GMT -7)
This may very well be inaccurate but I’ve had depression since I was 14 on and off yearly (I’m 27 now) and only as of the last 8 months do I suspect I now have a sudden onset of CFS. The fatigue is different in the following ways.
With depression I was mentally unmotivated. Didn’t even think it was a good idea to shower nor did I have the mental stamina to do so. My body wasn’t weak Nor did I feel drowsy. It was more like a deadness. It was very ‘in my head’. That was consistent for many years.

But now I have a new kind of fatigue. It’s like my mind is 100% in but my body is totally dead weight. I literally need to nap every hour or I can’t think straight. It’s not like the mental depression where all I could think of was negative sides of things and dream of not being depressed. It’s like now I literally can’t think. Like it’s just air in there sometimes. I’m lost and confused more and more. I notice now too my eyes will close Involuntarily. Reminds me of the classic narcoleptic except I’m not sleeping my eyes just feel heavy. It comes in waves. I move slower. When depressed I moved angrily or irritated but at a normal speed now I walk like I have weights on.

I can be totally okay, doing things when all of a sudden I feel like I need to sleep now and it can’t wait. I notice I have a limit of task I can do in a day. Such as I can wash dishes and cook a meal OR I can walk my dog but I can’t do both without a long nap or possibly a whole night of rest. All I really can do no matter what is things like I’m doing now-in bed looking at my phone and typing. But even now I’m drowsy.

If I do have CFS (which doctors hesitate to diagnose me because of my depression history) then these are the differences. Body vs mind with a mild overlap. Ugh I can’t imagine when depression comes back with this.. this is miserable enough.
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