Many people with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome develop or share symptoms of depression. Because CFS often comes bundled with depression, antidepressants are often used to treat the illness, with varying degrees of success.
There are many different types of antidepressants but the two main types of drugs used to help CFS patients are tricyclic antidepressants and Selective Serotonin-Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRI). Tricyclic antidepressants have been shown to help CFS suffers as they relieve two important symptoms of CFS, sleeplessness and low energy levels.
SSRI’s, on the othe rhand, have been found to be more effective treating fatigue in CFS patients.
However, it is important to note that most antidepressants cause varying degrees of complications and side effects, especially when mixed with other drugs prescribed to treat other symptoms of CFS or other illnesses.
Tags: antidepressants, CFS treatment, SSRI, tryciclic