This article will provide examples of lassitude, discuss its symptoms, and offer treatment options.
What Is Lassitude?
Many people experience tiredness, fatigue, and even exhaustion throughout their lives. This might be due to illness, stress, or loss of sleep. Lassitude, however, is different from typical tiredness. It’s a feeling of fatigue that affects a person physically and mentally. It causes complete exhaustion and is usually associated with a lack of caring about the fact that you no longer have the energy to care.
Often, lassitude is associated with anxiety or depression. In some cases, it may be a symptom of a medical illness, such as a sleep disorder or cancer.
With anxiety, you may feel exhausted from worrying all the time or depleted after ongoing anxiety or a panic attack. If you have social anxiety, you may feel fatigued leading up to and following a networking event.
With depression, even small efforts, like getting out of bed or getting ready for work, can feel overwhelmingly exhausting.
Symptoms of Lassitude
Although lassitude is not formally listed as a symptom of any specific mental health disorders in the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), it shares symptoms and characteristics with several diagnosable mental and physical illnesses. Here are some examples of what lassitude can look and feel like:
For more mental health resources, see our National Helpline Database.
Physical symptoms of lassitude include:
Feeling tired all the timeSlow movements or feeling like you’re dragging your body along
Emotional and psychological symptoms of lassitude include:
Lack of caring or apathyLoss of interest or enjoymentLow mental energy and inability to think clearly or make decisionsAvoidance of feelings, whether intentional or notFeelings of hopelessness or helplessness
Causes of Lassitude
There can be many illnesses, both physical and mental, that can cause feelings of fatigue or lassitude. Lassitude may also be caused by medications or substances, such as alcohol.
Potential causes of lassitude include:
Mental illness, such as depression or anxiety Cancer Iron deficiency (anemia) Endocrine disorders Infectious diseases Chronic illness, such as heart disease or multiple sclerosis Sleep issues Drug or substance use Environmental factors
How to Treat Lassitude
Before you and your healthcare provider can develop a treatment plan, a diagnosis is needed to understand the underlying issue causing lassitude and other symptoms.
Medical Treatment
When seeking treatment for lassitude, start by contacting your healthcare provider. They will ask about your medical history and details about your sleep, diet, activity, and other habits if they don’t already have them. They’ll likely want to take blood, perform other tests, and give you a physical examination. A mental health professional may be recommended depending on the root cause of lassitude.
Mental Health Treatment
If lassitude is due to a known mental illness, like depression, anxiety, or substance use disorder, a mental health professional will develop a treatment plan to minimize symptoms of the underlying condition. This may include a mix of psychotherapy (talk therapy) and medication.
For those with symptoms of chronic fatigue and no identifiable cause, a treatment plan that includes cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), a form of psychotherapy, may be used to set goals, cause you to take notice when symptoms are worsening, and change behaviors that improve symptoms of lassitude.
Summary
The term “lassitude” refers to the feeling of complete physical and mental exhaustion. It can stem from many different causes, including depression and anxiety; illnesses like heart disease, anemia, and cancer; substance use disorder; or environmental factors. Symptoms of lassitude include tiredness; a lack of caring, motivation, or enjoyment; low mental energy; and feelings of hopelessness.
The key to finding the right treatment for lassitude is determining its cause. Physical and mental illnesses will require different treatment options. For some, there will be no clear cause. In these cases, a mental health professional and a medical professional can help determine the best treatment methods.
A Word From Verywell
Feeling physically and mentally exhausted all the time can take a significant toll on your mind and body. Though lassitude can feel isolating and hopeless, there are ways to treat it and relieve your exhaustion. Even though you might feel too tired to reach out to a medical or mental health professional, it’s an important first step in getting help.
