Understanding fatigue in major depressive disorder and other medical disorders

Abstract

Background: Although fatigue is a common symptom that occurs in many psychiatric and other medical disorders, the pathophysiological mechanisms of fatigue are still unclear.

Objective: The goal of this review is to assess the state of knowledge about fatigue in depression and other disorders and identify new avenues for research in the study of fatigue.

Method: The author reviewed some 50 articles in the field.

Conclusion: An approach that emphasizes the similarities between fatigue and depression may improve the understanding of these complex syndromes. As more is learned about the neuropathology of the heterogeneous syndrome of depression, the etiology of many of the symptoms domains associated with depression, including fatigue, may become clearer.