Spoon theory was a theory coined by Christine Miserandino, a blogger with lupus, an autoimmune disorder. Miserandino was trying to explain to friends what it’s like to live with chronic pain. She explains that in an individual with an autoimmune disorder or chronic conditions, the individual has limited energy; she uses spoons to explain a unit of energy. In a healthy individual, essentially, a person has unlimited spoons, or an unlimited amount of energy. In this metaphor, an individual with chronic pain has a limited amount of energy, a limited number of spoons throughout the day. In this case, a “spoonie” or someone who has fewer spoons, can only allot a certain amount of energy to a specific number of daily tasks.
The spoon theory also allows someone with limited energy throughout the day to complete tasks without running out of energy by the end of the day. In relation to depression, a person living with depression may have a limited number of spoons. If you or a loved one are struggling with depression, understanding the spoon theory can help you find compassion and self-care strategies in the face of burnout, exhaustion and the inability to complete simple tasks. Additionally, AMFM Mental Health Treatment has over a decade of experience working with depressed and neurodivergent individuals, and providing them with comprehensive care, resources and psychotherapy. Call today to learn more about depression treatment.
Whether it’s fibromyalgia, lupus, autism, or another condition, those who identify with the experience of limited daily energy and a limited amount of spoons, the theory can help individuals with chronic illness navigate day to day tasks. Especially in the case of invisible illnesses like depression–it can surprise people that someone has difficulty with mental energy. When living with a condition like depression, smaller tasks may feel unmanageable, due to the symptoms of fatigue and lack of motivation. Integrated daily practices like walks and journaling may help with physical energy, and sound sleep. Because sleep can play an important role in living with mental health conditions and managing daily energy, it’s crucial to be aware of how your sleep patterns impact the amount of spoons you have available in a day.
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Fatigue, or a feeling of exhaustion, is a common symptom of depression. Coupled with sleep disturbances that commonly occur alongside depression, fatigue can have a lasting effect. Symptoms of fatigue can affect physical, cognitive, and emotional function, impair school and work performance, disturb social and family relationships, lower physical activity and energy levels, and increase healthcare utilization.1 This loss of energy can also increase emotional disturbances, and may have an impact on physical health, in addition to making it more difficult to complete daily tasks.
In order to overcome fatigue, it’s important to incorporate physical activity into your daily life, as well as to get better sleep on a regular schedule. Managing stress with daily activities like meditation, yoga and breathwork can also help increase dopamine, counteracting fatigue. There are also several alternative pharmacological strategies to treat fatigue in depression.2 If you are looking for treatment for depression, depression fatigue, or other related conditions, reach out to AMFM Mental Health Today.
The general consensus has been that with an increased use of social media, comes low self-esteem, skewed body image, FOMO (fear of missing out), increased eating disorders and more.3 The issue is the misuse of social media, the comparison of one person’s highlight reel of his or her life, being internalized and compared to another young person’s perception of self. A person may appear to be perfectly “happy” on social media, while battling depression day in and day out.
According to one study, “Cultural trends contributing to an increase in mood disorders and suicidal thoughts and behaviors since the mid-2000s, including the rise of electronic communication and digital media and declines in sleep duration, may have had a larger impact on younger people, creating a cohort effect.”4 In another, more recent study, 5395 individuals “reported that use of Snapchat, Facebook, or TikTok were more likely to report increased levels of depressive symptoms on a later survey.”5
These days, social media sites have become increasingly entangled in our society and all social interactions. It would be difficult, and likely unrealistic, to remove them altogether. Even in the case of Linkedin, a professional social networking site, social media use is linked to increased levels of depression and anxiety.6 Research shows that for the sake of teen mental health, there need to be guidelines in place to ensure that social media is being used properly, rather than as a tool for self-harm, communities of common distorted self image, or self-harm.7 Community guidelines, mental health resources, and awareness campaigns are constructive to the proper use of social media. When using social media, keep in mind that appearances may not speak to a person’s truth and happiness.
There are a variety of different antidepressant medications that have been proven as effective treatment (in combination with psychological treatment) for depression. Some types of antidepressants are listed here, but inquire with a licensed medical professional or psychiatrist for detailed information on different treatments. Never take psychiatric medication unless it is prescribed to you, and be sure to consult with healthcare professionals in case of external risk factors.
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) and Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs) are antidepressant medications that treat different neurotransmitters in order to block the reabsorption of serotonin or norepinephrine, keeping more of the chemicals in the synaptic cleft. However, both SSRIs and SNRIs have been known to impact fatigue and energy levels, and antidepressants may have fatigue listed as a side effect. Both are effective treatments for depression, but depend upon the individual, and should be approached with medical guidance and professional advice. Click here to learn more about the importance of medication management.
Depression can affect individuals differently, which often requires individualized treatment. There are a variety of depression treatment options that can be used to address the emotional, cognitive, and behavioral aspects of this condition. Some of the most common approaches used in treatment plans include:
Couples and family therapy may be used when a loved one’s depressive symptoms are affecting others. This can increase family members understanding of depression and talk about how to support each other. Couples and family therapy sessions can improve communication patterns, focus on problem-solving, address unresolved conflicts, and increase the sense of understanding among one another.
Group therapy sessions can be used to help provide structured times to help you understand that you are not alone in your struggles, that your peers are also walking through these challenges, while also providing guidance, suggestions and communications from psychologists with specialized backgrounds. These groups can span a variety of backgrounds, including but not limited to art therapy, somatic therapy, and narrative therapy.
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a form of therapy that’s focused on restructuring and reprogramming maladaptive and negative thought processes. Psychologists are trained to help you change your cognitive and emotional processes in order to outgrow coping mechanisms that may no longer be serving you.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is most commonly referred to as “talk therapy,” and is designed to help process emotions. Qualified professionals offer psychological therapy to move forward with healthy ways of engaging in interpersonal relationships and alleviating physical and emotional distress.
EMDR Therapy is a renowned method of reprocessing most often used in trauma therapy. By activating the prefrontal cortex through a series of bilateral stimulation, qualified professionals can lead you through traumatic experiences, helping you to alleviate the distress symptomized by trauma.
Inpatient Treatment for Depression refers to residential, or live-in mental health care programming in a facility. Inpatient treatment allows you or your loved one to engage in interpersonal therapy with licensed therapists and group therapy sessions, while healing in a safe and supportive environment. Inpatient mental health programming for depression usually also provides the highest level of care, with 24/7 clinical care, psychiatry and medication management, and personalized treatment plans for lasting well-being.
Outpatient Treatment (IOP or PHP) programs offer comprehensive mental health care at a more flexible schedule, with both in-person and virtual options available. Unlike residential care, outpatient treatment can offer online therapy and programming, but without 24/7 clinical teams on staff. Outpatient treatment plans still offer a combination of individual and group therapy, through a holistic approach, but in a less structured environment.
If you have been struggling with one or more of the depression symptoms we have mentioned, know that you’re not alone. A Mission For Michael has admission counselors available around the clock to help determine which treatment options can assist you in managing depression. Contact us today to begin your confidential and free mental health assessment.
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AMFM Mental Health Treatment has extensive experience treating a variety of mental health disorders beyond depression through evidence-based therapies, including but not limited to the following:
Recovery can feel isolating; mental health programming can provide cohesive treatment plans to help you or your loved one as you move forward, overcoming your mental illness.
Most health insurance companies provide some form of coverage for depression treatment. This often includes both inpatient and outpatient care, depending on your symptoms. Coverage generally applies to therapy, counseling, and medication management services. Your plan may have limitations, exclusions, or required authorizations.
We encourage you to verify your coverage with AMFM Mental Health Treatment to understand the full scope of your insurance plan’s in-network benefits. This is especially true if you’re looking for specific treatments, like postpartum depression treatments or persistent depressive disorder treatment options.
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Targum SD, Fava M. Fatigue as a residual symptom of depression. Innov Clin Neurosci. 2011 Oct;8(10):40-3. PMID: 22132370; PMCID: PMC3225130.
Nawaz FA, Riaz MMA, Banday NUA, Singh A, Arshad Z, Derby H, Sultan MA. Social media use among adolescents with eating disorders: a double-edged sword. Front Psychiatry. 2024 Feb 9;15:1300182. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1300182. PMID: 38404474; PMCID: PMC10884122.
Twenge, J. M., Cooper, A. B., Joiner, T. E., Duffy, M. E., & Binau, S. G. (2019). Age, period, and cohort trends in mood disorder indicators and suicide-related outcomes in a nationally representative dataset, 2005–2017. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 128(3), 185–199. https://doi.org/10.1037/abn0000410
Perlis RH, Green J, Simonson M, Ognyanova K, Santillana M, Lin J, Quintana A, Chwe H, Druckman J, Lazer D, Baum MA, Della Volpe J. Association Between Social Media Use and Self-reported Symptoms of Depression in US Adults. JAMA Netw Open. 2021 Nov 1;4(11):e2136113. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.36113. PMID: 34812844; PMCID: PMC8611479.
Jones JR, Colditz JB, Shensa A, Sidani JE, Lin LY, Terry MA, Primack BA. Associations Between Internet-Based Professional Social Networking and Emotional Distress. Cyberpsychol Behav Soc Netw. 2016 Oct;19(10):601-608. doi: 10.1089/cyber.2016.0134. PMID: 27732077; PMCID: PMC5067824.
