Feeling tired & helpless from my depression

Yes I have these symptoms too. I get very anxious and uptight when I have to do something. I have multiple sclerosis and depression and I'm miserable. Depression is an understatement. I'm trying to figure out ways to calm myself down. The fatigue I think is what gets me the most. I feel very overwhelmed with everything I have to do. I try to either color or play on my iPad to keep my mind off things. I had a very traumatic experience with an ex who won't leave me alone and it has been going on for ten years, something I'm sure is the trigger of my symptoms. I'm trying to take things in small steps. Anxiety and fatigue make my situation worse! Can you think of anything you enjoy doing?

Yes, in fact I was diagnosed with depression basically because I have chronic fatigue that won't go away despite ruling out a slough of other medical causes. It got better on medication, but didn't entirely go away. Feeling helpless (for me) goes along with feeling tired, since it's just so hard to motivate myself to do anything, or feel capable of handling things on my own. Some things I force myself to do, and other times I give myself the benefit of the doubt and let my body rest. A couple of ideas you might consider:

1) Ask your doctor (or better yet, pharmacist, as their advice is free and they have years of pharmacology training) if any of these symptoms could be side effects of medications or supplements that you are taking. It may be that you have some drug interactions going on, there are better options for you, or at least if you know it's the meds, you can cope with the symptoms better.
2) Go see your doctor to let them know that you're not feeling as well as you think you should, and have them review your meds and also look for other medical issues. (Just because you have depression doesn't mean you couldn't also have something else that contributes to not feeling well).
3) You might try mindfulness meditation, in particular the body scan. When I started doing these, I discovered that I had pain in my body that I was trying to mentally block all the time.It was affecting both my mood and my sleep. Dealing with the sources of pain and finding better ways to handle it (rather than spending energy trying to ignore it) made me feel a lot better. There are great online resources for meditation. I like the UCLA's Mindful Awareness Research Center, part of the medical school (Google on MARC or UCLA Mindfulness and it should come up). Mayo may have some online resources too, I haven't looked into that.
4) As crazy as it seems to suggest exercise to someone who is already tired, try to work some activity into your day. You will sleep better and it also helps to work off that anxious energy that makes use grouchy and nervous. You don't have to sign up for a sports team, just find time to walk or swim (or whatever you find enjoyable) on a regular basis. Science says it helps with depression, and certainly has made a difference in my case.

Best of luck - hope you are feeling well soon.

Mardee

@65742
It seems as though all I do is get on my phone on Facebook or look at emails. Sometimes I feel addicted to my phone. I bought a coloring book but haven't used it yet. I do have extreme pain in my neck & left arm also in my back. I got off of oxycodone last year cold turkey. I was totally dependent on it. At first my pain seemed better but now it's back with a vengeance. I don't want to take narcotics again. It was miserable getting off them. I have osteoarthritis in all my joints. I had a hip replacement in 2013. That's when I got so addicted to pain killers.
I guess the pain has a lot to do with my depression. I don't have a very good physician. I had to switch the first of the year. I don't see a phys Doctor any more.
Thanks for your input at least I know I don't suffer alone with this problem

I was like you, sleeping 10-13 hours a night and then not having the energy to do anything. I assume the antitrypelene is supposed to be amitriptyline which is which is used to treat depression. My doctor kept trying new medicines and new dosages and finally I am now sleeping 8.5 hours a night and have lots of energy. Maybe it is just a matter of a doctor willing to stick with you and keep working until he/she finds something that works for you, but in the meantime realize there are many like you. You are not alone.

I was on four different anti-depressants. When I switched psychiatrists, she was amazed on was on so many meds. She took me off all of them and now I take 10 mg of Celexa in the morning and 30 mg of Remeron at bedtime. I feel so much better not being on so much medication. I'm not quite as tired as I was, but my body feels much better. I do have chronic pain and still have bad days, but maybe you are over medicated. Try switching psychiatrists if your current one isn't willing to switch meds until you find one that works.

Also, have you had your thyroid checked? Mine was way out of whack. I also take 2000 IU of Vitamin D every day. It really helps with the depression.

I too, was way out on my thyroid and am now taking artificial thyroid. I also take 2000 IU of Vitamin D. Also the B vitamins help with depression.

As of late I my name has been irritable, more irritable and most irritable. Chronic pain does not help. I was doing okay and now I seem to have bottomed out...I go through the motions and do my "smiling depression" act.
I only recently joined and this is an old post-I am an old person. Forced into retirement as my bod gave out. I try to be encouraging and positive...it is still in me some where.
Pain is horrid because of PT which has increased my other pains...bureaucratic hoops.

@65742 The hardest thing can be picking up the coloring book and getting started. Be kind to yourself and treat your inner child-a little encouragement and not criticism. If you have a printer there are thousands of coloring pages on line w/ nearly anything you are interested.

Could be your over-medicated or on the wrong meds. You should discuss at length with your psychiatrist. Good luck.