Lethargy and/or depression

[Functionalfool]

I was diagnosed with Ps 2 years ago but I've had PsA for a decade. I have had sporadic issues with depression long before I had this disease so I can't blame everything on Ps! I know what standard depression feels like and this feels different. It hits me like a ton of bricks then it goes away after 10 days or 2 weeks. That isn't, in my experience, how depression works. If I get on antidepressants, by the time they kick in, I feel better. I don't think I have what most shrinks wound consider your run off the mill depression. Has anyone experienced anything like this or is it unique to me? I started a journal to try and pinpoint how and why, but it will likely take a while for me to see a pattern.

I just want some advice from someone who knows what I'm going through. I don't want to divulge much more info on here than I already have so a pm would be better.

[Forest Walker]

As you write about this, hoping to find others who have similar experiences, you may also be helping others.  Taking care of mental health is as important as taking care of physical health.  I'm 57.  My daughter at 22 is much better at proactively caring for her mental health than I was.  Old negative stigmas associated with mental health care are sloughing off, thankfully.  

Keeping a journal sounds like a smart idea. 

I wonder if fatigue and lethargy may sometimes be confused and mistaken as depression.  Because sometimes fatigue is a symptom of something else.  Anemia, an injured liver, active auto-immune disease are just a few things that could lead to fatigue.  I don't know how you would know, though, other than to stay on top of all care.  Lethargy certainly speaks to depression, I think.  

I'm glad you recognize your depression and that it usually eases.  I hope that when you are in the depth of it, that you can know it's not forever and that you'll feel better again.  But when you are in it, it's awful, and I'm sorry.

[Kat]

I would definitely discuss it with your doctor and rule out any physical reasons you could be lethargic.  And definitely keep up with your mental health as well!  As Forest says, the stigma that was once there is no longer the same.  People are realizing more and more how important it is to stay mentally healthy as well as physical. 

I do have family/friends that have benefitted quite a bit from antidepressants and/or other drugs to help with their mental health.  I can't comment much more than that as even though they are not on this forum those aren't my stories to tell.  Like any other medical issue, research it, find a trusted doctor and take care of yourself however you need to.

[Wooley]

I would definitely discuss with a doctor or someone in the medical profession, lethargy could be connected to many things, including a deficiency in vitamins like D, B12 or iron, magnesium or potassium maybe, I think seeing a professional they could run blood tests and check if you do have any of these deficiencies, just to rule it out.

It could also be caused by lack of sleep, over exertion, lack of activity or improper nutrition.  You might be suffering from stress or anxiety which can sometimes last a short period of time, then you feel ok again.  That said, if not addressed, it can also lead to depression too as you probably know already.

I do think keeping a journal is a good idea too.

Please don't suffer in silence though, have a chat with your doctor about it......

[jiml]

I was diagnosed with Ps 2 years ago but I've had PsA for a decade. I have had sporadic issues with depression long before I had this disease so I can't blame everything on Ps! I know what standard depression feels like and this feels different. It hits me like a ton of bricks then it goes away after 10 days or 2 weeks. That isn't, in my experience, how depression works. If I get on antidepressants, by the time they kick in, I feel better. I don't think I have what most shrinks wound consider your run off the mill depression. Has anyone experienced anything like this or is it unique to me? I started a journal to try and pinpoint how and why, but it will likely take a while for me to see a pattern.

I just want some advice from someone who knows what I'm going through. I don't want to divulge much more info on here than I already have so a pm would be better.

sorry I'm not able to help with the depression as it's fortunately not something I've suffered with, but lethargy and tiredness I experienced when I had covid and can relate to that but I've not suffered with it as a biproduct of psoriasis.
What I do think you have got right is openly speaking about it here where many of our members can empathize with you and may be able to offer some help,
I agree a journal is a great way to record your progress with the ups and downs, and of course it's more private in a journal as they are not in the public view and only seen by members with over 10 posts
Good luck  I look forward to following your progress