Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) is a multi-faceted condition which can include many of the symptoms of depression. Similarly, characteristics of depression may lead one to the conclusion that they have CFS. A proper diagnosis can be made when we examine the two conditions in more detail. This is important for establishing an effective course of treatment.
Characteristics of Depression
Depression can affect a person over the course of a lifetime and have physical and mental consequences. Proper diagnosis and treatment can help in alleviating some or many of these characteristic symptoms:
- Feelings of disappointment, hopelessness and despair
- Lack of interest in work, sex, and activities that usually bring one comfort, like sharing time with friends
- Indecisiveness and loss of focus
- Boredom or irritability
- Suffering from consistent ailments such as headaches
- Anxiety and fear
- Feeling self-destructive or even suicidal
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome overview
According to experts, two standards must be met in order to diagnosis CFS:
- A person must have CFS for a period of at least six months without factoring other clinically diagnosed medical conditions.
- At least four symptoms must be present during these six months: cognitive difficulties; soreness of the muscles; sleep that doesn’t bring refreshment; tiredness after exertion continuing more than 24 hours; pain in various joints that doesn’t involve redness or swelling; sensitive lymph nodes; throat soreness; unusual headaches.
Symptoms of CFS
There are other symptoms of CFS, and they vary from patient to patient:
- Chronic mental and physical exhaustion, increased after engaging in an activity
- Pain in the abdomen, chest, jaw or ears
- Depression and anxiety
- Weight loss
- Night sweats and insomnia
- Inability to tolerate alcohol or other chemicals, such as caffeine
- Skin sensations including tingling
- Respiratory problems
The direct causes of CFS are still unclear, and the condition can come on suddenly, or over time, often as a result of another medical condition, like Lyme disease. This controversial link is currently being researched.
Differences between CFS and depression
There are undeniable similarities between CFS and depression including: difficulty sleeping, inability to complete tasks or fulfill responsibilities, inability to maintain a proper diet and exercise regimen, and feeling down and not oneself. But research consistently indicates some important differences which characterize CFS as a bio-physical condition which may be caused by a viral infection. Following are some noteworthy differences:
- In terms of exercise, those who are depressed seem to improve their condition when incorporating exercise into their daily routine. In CFS, a person may be willing to exercise, but their body cannot tolerate it.
- CFS sufferers commonly have other afflictions associated with the condition, such as fibromyalgia and sensitivity to chemicals. The link is being investigated.
- Those who have depression may have difficulty sleeping, but CFS has been related to a dysfunction of deep-sleep patterns of the brain.
- A suppressed immune system is a common symptom of CFS, including fevers and flu, and chronic muscle pain.
Concluding: Depression or CFS?
There is a lot of overlap in the symptoms of depression and chronic fatigue syndrome, and some similar general recommendations for treatment. However, CFS continues to elude doctors and scientists in terms of direct causes, particularly in terms of its viral implications, which are not associated with depression. A proper diagnosis is needed in order to adequately treat the condition.
Learn more about Chronic Fatigue Syndrome here.
Sources:
http://www.cdc.gov/cfs/cfsdefinition.htm
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/chronic-fatigue-syndrome/DS00395/DSECTION=3
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/depression/DS00175
Hmm. Interesting. I never new the two were so closely related.
I guess it’s a good idea to check out some other alternatives instead of immediately going on anti-depressants.
I’m confused, because I have appeared to have some symptoms from both for the last year about. I got depressed deeply I think because I haven’t been able to get restorative sleep. My muscles hurt, although it’s a dull pain, maybe somatic, but painful enough to keep me in a bad mood. I’ve had constant headaches in frontal lobe region, temple/jaw/ear area, and back of my skull. I was given some gabapentin to try and for the last two days have felt like my old self again . I’ve tried med upon med the last few months for bipolar and depression. None seemed to work. I try gabapentin and I feel I can be active and like I actually slept when I wake up. My hypothesis is that I have cfs, not depression or bipolar as the source of my illness. What do you think?
Hi AJ, thanks for sharing your story. First, we recommend you consult a health care professional, as this site is not intended for medical advice, including a diagnosis. However, we still need to play an active role in our health, and it looks like you’re doing a good job of being aware and proactive about your symptoms. Let me see if I can put you on a path that will lead to true health and freedom.
While meds can be beneficial in some cases, it’s important to remember their effects are temporary, because they do not address the root cause of your symptoms – they just make the symptoms stop bothering you, until you stop taking the drug. By all means, keep taking the drug as long as your doctor tells you to and as long as it makes you feel good. But since you’re curious enough to wonder what your true problem is, you just might want to discover a real solution, too.
Depression and mood swings can certainly be symptoms of a bigger problem, such as chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) as you mentioned. In combination with sleep loss, muscle aches, and headaches, I would agree your issue sounds like CFS. With today’s health care, this is where you meet a wall; most doctors don’t know how to deal with CFS, but much of the underground health community is aware that it’s an immune system issue. Some even speculate it’s an autoimmune issue, in which the body starts attacking itself for no apparent reason. Regardless, the common thread is your immune system, and getting it back on track.
The immune system is delicately intertwined with almost every aspect of our body and health, which is why, when it isn’t functioning at full capacity, or if it malfunctions, we see an array of seemingly unrelated symptoms. Many people who experience symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome notice a dramatic improvement after simply addressing the immune system.
How can you support a normal immune system? It’s easier than you may think. Eating fresh, whole foods, and eliminating fast, processed foods is a great place to start, if you haven’t already. Get vitamin D, a prime immunity nutrient, freely from 15 minutes of pure sunlight a day (or take a high quality supplement). Additionally, consider taking a Dietary Tool like Activive. Delivering vital immune system nutrients in one formula, Activive has given amazing results to people looking to restore energy and healthy mood patterns, and reduce muscle aches and pains. It’s completely natural, so there’s no risk or worry about side effects. Plus, it comes with a satisfaction guarantee, so no matter what, you win.
I hope this helps! All the best to you, AJ.