Anergia: Is it Just Tiredness or a Symptom of Something Serious?

Be honest with me; do you often find yourself wanting to take a nap during the day in the middle of work? Because I do! There are days when I feel overly tired from work and while it’s normal to experience an energy slump from time to time if you’re constantly fatigued and lack energy, then it could indicate something more than just afternoon tiredness.

What we all feel from time to time could just be a general lack of energy and motivation, but when the lack of energy is persistent and constant, then it could be termed “Anergia”. Anergia is not a medical condition but it can be categorized as a symptom of mental health disorders.

This symptom can cause constant tiredness and lack of energy that can bleed into your daily tasks, making it harder for you to engage in activities you normally would with enthusiasm. If you’re experiencing anergia, then you may also struggle with getting out of bed in the morning or struggle to wake up properly during the daytime.

Let’s take a look at how anergia presents itself, what causes this symptom, how it impacts our life, and how you can cope with this symptom.

What Does “Anergia” Mean?

If we look at the official definition of anergia, it says, “abnormal lack of energy”. According to APA, the American Psychological Association, anergia can be defined as an absence of energy or motivation and being in a state of inactivity or unresponsiveness. While it’s not a condition, it is a major symptom of many mental health disorders including depression, chronic stress, and chronic fatigue.

If you struggle with anergia, then you may feel indifferent towards activities like socializing, hanging out with friends, going to work or school, losing interest in hobbies or other leisure activities, etc.

Moreover, this condition can make it harder for you to do your regular tasks such as getting out of bed or even brushing your teeth. This symptom makes you feel constantly tired and low on energy. While normal tiredness can be chased away by resting up, the tiredness from anergia is not as easy to dispel.

The Symptoms to Know

Anergia is not a recognized condition in itself, but it is a common (if not a major) symptom of mental health conditions and disorders. Some of the common anergia symptoms can include;

• Losing interest in activities you once enjoyed (anhedonia)
• Constant tiredness and lack of energy
• Low or no motivation
• Constant fatigue
• Wanting to sleep more than usual
• Difficulty concentrating
• Feeling hopeless or helpless all the time

Is Anergia Related to Depression?

Depression is a serious mental health disorder that can be described as having persistent and constant feelings of sadness, emptiness, hopelessness, and worthlessness. Depression can hinder your ability to function properly and carry out your daily tasks. Depression can also alter the way you think, feel, and act in day-to-day functions.

According to studies, people who struggle with depression are likely to experience anergia as well. Anergia depression can be categorized under atypical depression, a type of clinical depressive disorder. If you are struggling with anergia depression, then you may not experience the common symptoms of depression.

You may, however, experience symptoms such as;

• Wanting to sleep more than usual
• Increase in appetite
• Strong reactions to others’ actions
• Feeling a weight in your limbs

Anergia can also be a major symptom of disorders such as;

• Major depressive disorder
• Bipolar disorder
• Eating disorders
• Substance abuse disorder
• Psychiatric disorders and more

What Causes Anergia?

There are no certain causes of anergia, but there are many different factors that can contribute to anergia. Anergia is more than feeling tired all the time. It is a constant feeling of fatigue that can last longer than a few weeks or months. This type of fatigue caused by anergia isn’t a result of exhaustion or overexertion.

There are medical reasons as well behind the development of anergia. For instance, if you’re living with acute coronary syndrome, then you’re likely to experience anergia or depression. Other factors that can cause anergia can include;

• Psychiatric disorders
• Chronic fatigue
• Fibromyalgia
• Thyroid
• Anemia
• Dementia
• Sleep apnea
• COPD
• Heart dysfunction
• Lung diseases
• Medication side effects
• Low levels of nutrients and vitamins

How Does Anergia Impact Our Lives?

As I’ve stated before, anergia is more than just “feeling tired”. If it is just tiredness, then it’s normal to recover your energy after resting or taking a nap. However, with anergia, the feeling of tiredness and no energy lasts for a long time and does not always get better after resting or catching up on sleep.

Because of this inability to recover your energy, anergia can affect almost all aspects of your life. While the impact of anergia may vary from person to person, there are some common effects of anergia that you should know;

• Lack of motivation
• Anhedonia
• Trouble concentrating on daily activities
• Trouble working or functioning normally
• Not having the energy to do simple tasks such as waking up or brushing your teeth
• Loss of memory
• Not being able to exert your body
• Feeling depressed
• Having a low sex drive

Can Anergia Be Treated?

At this point, there are no certain treatment options available to treat anergia as a condition. However, anergia is considered a major symptom of depression and similar disorders, so treatment options are also suggested regarding the specific disorders.

More often than not, treatment such as talk therapy (cognitive-behavioral therapy), antidepressants, and self-care coping techniques are recommended.

If you suspect you or your loved one has anergia, then it is advised that you speak to a professional healthcare provider to learn more about the symptom and learn effective coping techniques that would meet your needs.

Meanwhile, here are some self-care tips you can follow to treat the underlying causes of anergia and feel better;

1. Move your body:

Even if you don’t feel like it, try to challenge yourself to get some physical activity. You can try some yoga exercises that do not require you to go out or get out of your bed. Exercising a little every day can have positive effects on your health and well-being, so try it!

2. Eat a well-balanced diet:

You can also try making little changes to your diet and focus on eating more whole foods than processed foods. Eating a well-balanced diet can also help you lower the symptoms of depression and give you some of your energy back.

3. Don’t miss out on sleep:

Even though catching up on sleep might not help you treat anergia, it can still help you create a healthy sleep schedule and sleep-wake routine that may help you feel better. Also, while you’re at it, try to improve your sleep environment by reducing blue light exposure, limiting caffeine intake, and avoiding alcohol before bed.

What Next?

Extreme tiredness is normal and may last for a few days. You can treat general tiredness and fatigue by catching up on your sleep, practicing relaxation techniques, and getting some light exercise, but this condition may not require professional help or intervention, unlike anergia,

Anergia, while not a recognized condition, is a major symptom of various mental health disorders including depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and more. This lack of energy may last for more than a few weeks or even months and may interfere with your ability to function in your day-to-day life. More often than not, anergia may require professional intervention.

If you are living with anergia, then know that you’re not alone. Low energy and constant tiredness can be a symptom of depression or similar disorders. It is advised that you speak to a professional for a proper diagnosis, support, and treatment. You may also find speaking to or joining a support group helpful.

I hope this blog helped you understand what anergia is, what causes a constant lack of energy, and how to deal with anergia depression. For more, you can reach out to us at info@calmsage.com or leave us a message on our social media.

If you don’t know where to get help, then click the link below to connect with professionals who can help you address your condition, figure out the causes, and help you find the right treatment options.

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