Depression Information

What's Causing My Depression and Fatigue?


Chronic Fatigue and Chronic Depression are absolutely systemic in our society today. Recent studies done by the AMA and CMA purport one in four people in North America are suffering from some form of chronic fatigue or depression and it's expected eight out of ten of us will experience similar afflictions in our lifetime. But numbers like these don't speak to the cause and only tell half the story.

In June of this year, my new book entitled, "Until You've Walked the Path" hit the bookstores. In it, I chronicle my own real life battle and recovery from CFS [Chronic Fatigue Syndrome]. I am pleased to say that from the responses I've received, the book has touched many people in a positive way, both those suffering from the disease, as well as caregivers, looking for new ways to aid the afflicted.

In conversations about CFS, the one question I am asked the most is, "What's causing My [their] chronic depression and fatigue?" Followed by, "Is it just stress?"

I'll admit I am not a doctor and have no medical training, however, I have done a fair bit of research over the last decade and I am a real CFS Survivor. That said, it is my belief there are three fundamental 'Camps' if you will, that can cause depression or fatigue and it is absolutely essential to determine what camp you are in to expedite speedy recovery.

Camp #1: CFIDS [Chronic Fatigue Immune Dysfunction Syndrome]

CFIDS is the new acronym for most immune dysfunctional disorders which covers a broad base of causes and outcomes. More specifically, the factors that can bring on CFS are viral. In my case I was diagnosed with the Epstein-Barr Virus [EBV]. Another common virus known to cause CFS is the ME Virus [Myalgic Encephalomyelitis]. An outcome associated with CFS sufferers is Fibromyalgia; an excruciatingly painful disease that effects all the muscles and joints in the body.

I could go on but the important point to understand is that most of what causes 'Real' Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is most often viral. These viruses attack the immune system causing acute un-wellness, fatigue and depression. Stress is another immune-weakening phenomenon and is often a major cause for CFS. On the other hand, motivators like post viral infection - as it was in my case - is known to be much of the cause because of the damaging consequences it can affect to an otherwise healthy immune system. One outcome is Depression and Fatigue.

Camp #2: Mood Disorders

Mood disorders are perhaps easier for most people to understand. Not the diseases themselves but rather the fact that there are commonly known diseases like: By-Polar, Manic-Depression and Schizophrenia, to name but three. We all know they can cause behavioral - often unpredictable -changes in those afflicted. Another outcome is Depression and Fatigue.

Camp #3: Substance Abuse

Whether it's drugs or alcohol, [prescribed or otherwise], many people fall victim to their affects that over time, can clearly evolve into conditions of un-wellness.

Stress-relief is often the reason for those who use drugs and alcohol on a regular basis and one need not be addicted to experience many of the health deteriorations that ultimately come about. Another outcome, of course, is Depression and Fatigue.

By now you may be seeing a bit of an assertion I am making in this article which now compels me to make two important points:

1. Depression and Fatigue can be outcomes from many different motivators.

2. It is critical for sufferers to seek out immediate professional help in determining precisely what is causing their fatigue and depression.

I have seen too many people needlessly wither away with diseases like these, never getting the right help. Many of them try to hide their problem and shrink into the shadows because it's not a glamorous disease and for the most part, is still a little misunderstood - even by many in the medical field.

My advice is to find the right medical specialist who deals specifically with what's causing your fatigue and depression. Understand that no doctor can be a specialist at everything and that the medicine, treatment and care for someone with Schizophrenia would be entirely different from what's required to treat someone with substance abuse or a viral infection. The specialist would be just as different.

It's also vitally important for those afflicted and caregivers alike to know that there is a short window of opportunity in getting diseases like these under control. That is to say, from my observation and experience, the longer one goes without proper diagnosis and treatment, the harder it is and less likely it is, recovery can be achieved.

Chronic Depression and Fatigues is not something one chooses to have and treatments like "Suck it up soldier!" or love deprivation do not work. Ignoring it works even less.

The Bottom Line:

What's causing Your Depression and Fatigue could be many things. You need to align yourself with the right specialist, the right medication and the right treatment As Soon As Possible!

The good news? You can recover from it and you can triumph over it! I am living proof.

About The Author

Paul Shearstone is President of The CFIDS Foundation of Canada Inc. He is an International Keynote Speaker, Author, Writer, Motivation, Corporate Ethics, Sales, Time & Stress Management Specialist.

Paul enlightens and challenges audiences as he informs motivates and entertains.

To comment on this article or to book Paul for your next successful event we invite to contact Paul Shearstone directly @ 416-728-5556 or 1-866-855-4590 www.success150.com or paul@success150.com.

For more information and how to order Paul's new book, "Until You've Walked the Path" please visit www.paulshearstone.ca

"Every day millions of people struggle valiantly with the pain of CFIDS and Depression... the very real physical pain and the excruciating psychic pain of the soul. Paul gives both voice and face to their pain. More importantly, he gives expression to their courage, resilience, and valour. By his account of his own remarkable journey, he gives hope to the millions of others who are still on theirs".

Karen Liberman

Executive Director

Mood Disorders Association of Ontario

paul@paulshearstone.ca


MORE RESOURCES:

Low Vitamin D Tied to Depression in Older Adults
Washington Post, United States - 2 hours ago
The Dutch study, published in the May issue ofArchives of General Psychiatry, supports previous speculation by researchers that vitamin D, depression and ...
Vitamin D Use Linked to Lower Mortality in Kidney Patients U.S. News & World Report
all 17 news articles


Poll: Many see "depression" in US economy
Bizjournals.com, NC - 5 hours ago
Many of the voters in a recent informal Los Angeles Business from bizjournals poll said they saw the economy currently in a "depression". ...


Shedding light on depression
Concord Journal,  USA - 4 hours ago
By Kerri Roche/Staff Writer Newton native Julie Totten already lost one family member to the dark, consuming world of depression and wants to try to save ...


Mothers' Depression Linked To Young Children's Injuries
Science Daily (press release) - May 15, 2008
The study's findings, published May 14 in the Advanced Access edition of the Journal of Pediatric Psychology, suggest that proper treatment for depression ...


Major Depression Study Shows Success of Long-Term Treatment
Psychiatric News, CA - 9 hours ago
Another report from TADS finds that continuing depression treatment—regardless of modality—helps more adolescent patients. Most patients who achieved a ...


Tropical depression 'Cosme' intensifies slightly
ABS CBN News, Philippines - May 15, 2008
Tropical depression "Cosme" strengthened slightly as it continued to batter Oriental Mindoro, according to weather bureau Philippine Atmospheric, ...
‘Cosme’ maintains strength but remains stationary GMA news.tv
2 tropical depressions to induce more rains Inquirer.net
Cyclone Watch: Tropical Depression ‘Cosme’ ABS CBN News
GMA news.tv - GMA news.tv
all 34 news articles


Cornbread: Great Depression staple in Japan
Delta Farm Press, NE - 12 hours ago
My dad was born in the early 1920s and grew up on a briar patch of a farm in Leon County, Texas, in the midst of the Great Depression. ...


Psychological treatment of depression: A meta-analytic database of ...
7thSpace Interactive (press release), NY - 15 hours ago
A large number of randomized controlled studies have clearly demonstrated that psychological interventions are effective in the treatment of depression. ...


Jordan High paper strikes back with survey
Los Angeles Times, CA - 11 hours ago
What exactly is clinical depression? Clinical depression is a serious medical illness that negatively affects how you feel, the way you think, ...
The Times at Jordan High spanks that other Times. Yes, us. Los Angeles Times
all 2 news articles


Migraine, Depression Meds May Cause Problems
FOXNews - May 15, 2008
People suffering from migraines and depression need to be careful when mixing medication for the two, according to a study in Thursday’s issue of the New ...

Depression - Google News

home | site map
© Care Online 2006