Feeling tired and run down: what to know

Interrupted sleep, insomnia, demanding work or burnout can leave you drained even without another illness. Depression may bring low mood, loss of interest and slowed thinking; generalised anxiety can keep the body alert and make rest difficult. Hypothyroidism may cause tiredness with feeling cold, constipation or dry skin. Alcohol use can disrupt sleep and worsen mood. Some people develop prolonged fatigue after an infection, including Long COVID, while chronic fatigue syndrome involves a more complex, persistent pattern that needs clinical assessment. These patterns overlap, so the surrounding symptoms and timeline matter.

Keep a steady sleep and wake routine, seek daylight early in the day, and use gentle activity within your current energy limits. Eat regular meals, drink enough fluids and reduce alcohol, particularly near bedtime. Record sleep quality, mood, stress, medicines and activities for several days. If fatigue is new, persistent or worsening, book a primary-care appointment so the clinician can review your history and decide whether examination or testing is useful.

Get urgent help for chest pain, severe breathing difficulty, fainting, new confusion, sudden weakness, or thoughts of harming yourself. Seek prompt medical advice if you cannot manage work, self-care or driving safely, or if fatigue follows a significant infection or comes with unexplained weight change. Do not use stimulants or alcohol to push through severe exhaustion.

Could my sleep, mood, medicines, alcohol use or thyroid be contributing? What changes should I try first? Would an assessment for anxiety, depression or another cause be appropriate?