Chronic fatigue and depression are two of the most debilitating conditions one can experience. Not only does depression make you sad, but it makes you feel empty, guilty, and worthless. Not only does chronic fatigue make you perpetually tired, but it can cause sleep problems, digestive problems, and even memory lapses. In either case, you might also lose interest in activities that once brought you happiness, such socializing, pursuing your hobbies, or sex.
Perhaps the most daunting aspect of chronic fatigue and/or depression is that it’s often unclear what causes them. While one physician may point to “physical brain changes,” or “neurotransmitters,” another may call out “hormones” or “life events.” While the origins of depression and chronic fatigue are, in fact, difficult to assess, both afflictions tend to cause similar symptoms, and can often be diagnosed based on a complete physical exam and medical history.
Generally speaking, chronic depression occurs when a person feels sad, anxious, or hopeless for an extended period of time. Chronic Fatigue, or “Chronic Fatigue Syndrome” (CFS) as it’s often diagnosed, is when a person feels chronically fatigued without an underlying cause, or reason why.
Chronic depression and fatigue aren’t like most other maladies. While treating the common cold or a broken bone is fairly straightforward, treating a complex illness like depression is often anything but. With depression and chronic fatigue, not only can your symptoms change over time, but so can the severity of your symptoms. Moreover, the exact cause of any one of them can be difficult to access—as your emotional and physical triggers can vary-widely, and often overlap.
At Sierra Integrative Medical Center, we realize how foolish it is to take a “cookie-cutter” approach to treating the world’s most complex illnesses and ailments. That’s why in addition to taking a broad and extensive approach to diagnosing depression and fatigue, we also consider a exceedingly wide range of possible treatments, including conventional, alternative and homeopathic-based remedies.
At Sierra Integrative Medical Center, we specialize in treating hard to diagnose and difficult to treat cases—and are literally on the cutting edge in the development of custom treatment programs for chronic depression and fatigue that really work.
In true “integrative” fashion, we’ll take the time to assess your whole condition—while taking your medical history, risk factors and environment into account when forming your diagnosis. Once we’ve identified the cause of your illness, we’ll develop a custom treatment program that draws on a wide variety of medical disciplines. By utilizing the very best of what both conventional and alternative medicine have to offer, we’ll design a treatment plan that helps the body heal itself, avoid the recurrence of old symptoms, and prevent the development of new problems.
Yes. Sometimes, those who are chronically fatigued may become depressed, or vice versa. Routine exhaustion can cause a lack of desire to do anything, which can develop into depression, whereas depression can certainly cause fatigue.
Whether it’s one or the other, one of our doctors will take the time to review your medical history and fully assess your condition. Using a variety of diagnostic tests and procedures, we’ll identify the cause of your symptoms, and develop a treatment plan to ensure a full recovery.
Integrative Medicine is a unique approach to wellness that focuses on you as a whole person and not just your illness. By utilizing both conventional and alternative treatments to help the body heal itself, integrative medicine “integrates” the very best treatment modalities to help patients’ achieve their optimal health and wellbeing.
Yes. Integrative medicine covers a broad range of practices, techniques and services, and can help fill in the gaps that traditional medicine may have overlooked or missed. By helping to heal your mind, body and spirit, integrative medicine can provide the treatment you need to not only restore your happiness or regain your energy, but thrive.
Yes. Many medications and alternative treatment modalities can make difference in your overall quality of life and symptoms, even for those experiencing CFS. If you are struggling with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and need professional treatment, contact Sierra Integrative Medical Center to find out how we can help.
Yes. Fatigue syndromes such as CFS tend to follow in the wake of acute infections, such as COVID, and many people infected with the COVID-19 coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) have, in fact, developed debilitating chronic fatigue and/or similar symptoms. If you're experiencing fatigue, restlessness, or even chronic pain caused by COVID or a similar infectious agent (such as SARS, Ebola, or West Nile virus) contact us to find out how we can help provide treatment.