Common treatments for depression reduce fatigue in teens – but not for everyone
Submitted by Nina Higson-Sweeney
Fatigue is a common symptom of depression that is often experienced by teenagers. Fatigue is not just feeling tired after a bad night’s sleep – it is an extreme sense of mental and/or physical exhaustion which can make it difficult to concentrate, hard to get out of bed in the morning, and leave teens with no energy for friends, hobbies, or everyday tasks. As fatigue can have such a big impact on someone’s life, it is important that treatments for depression can adequately address it.
We used data from the IMPACT randomised controlled trial to explore how fatigue might change after receiving one of three common treatments for depression: cognitive behavioural therapy, short-term psychoanalytic psychotherapy, and a brief psychosocial intervention. We looked at data from 465 teens aged 11-17 who were diagnosed with depression.
Around three-quarters of these teens reported experiencing significant fatigue before treatment began, and this was more common for older teens and those who had more severe depression. Reassuringly, levels of fatigue reduced over the course of treatment and kept improving afterwards. There were no differences between the three treatments, meaning they all seem to have a similar effect on fatigue. We also found that starting treatment with fatigue did not predict worse improvement in depression or everyday functioning. So, being tired at the start did not mean therapy would be less helpful overall.
However, fatigue did not disappear for everyone. Around one in three to four teens still reported significant fatigue at the end of treatment, meaning that while these treatments work for some, they do not work for all.
I’m a young person – what does this mean for me?
If you feel exhausted and are struggling with low mood, you are not alone. If fatigue is a big issue for you, talk with people you trust like your parents and teachers, as there are things that can be done to help you.
I’m a parent - what does this mean for me?
If your child seems constantly exhausted and is also struggling with their mood, this could be an indication of depression. It may be useful to mention fatigue directly when speaking to a doctor, therapist, or your child’s school to see what help can be provided.
I’m a teacher - what does this mean for me?
While tiredness is pretty common among teens, fatigue can have a considerable negative impact. If you see someone in your class struggling with fatigue, concentration, or their homework, consider having a chat with them to learn more, or encourage them to reach out to your school’s mental health team.
I’m a clinician – what does this mean for me?
Current psychological treatments for depression in teens seem to help reduce levels of fatigue – but this doesn’t work for everyone. If you are working with someone who struggles with fatigue and doesn’t seem to be improving, consider if adaptations or additional support is needed that focuses on this symptom.