Suggest Treatment For Persistent Fatigue

Question: My daughter has recurring problems with fatigue. She is 38 and currently is unemployed. The problems with fatigue seem to be somewhat seasonal. It hits her in the fall and winter months and eases or disappears in the spring and summer months,. At it's worst, she says it is like her reaction to high altitude when she visited a friend in XXXXXXX She says she becomes completely exhausted and has difficulty managing her affairs, At some times, she sleeps 10 to 12 hours and feels drained an hour after getting up. What kind of doctor or clinic specialized in this kind of illness where she could get help?

She has seen a psychiatrist. At first I also thought it was a psychological problem. But I'm now questioning that suspicion. When she's feeling well, she goes to the gym, does part time work and tries to get a new job. However, she is worried she will get another job and encounter problems when the fatigue sets in, as it usually does. She is very frustrated with this. Every time she sees a doctor, they sort of throw up their hands, say they don't know what's wrong and suggest something we've already tried, such as vitamin supplements. She feels no one takes her seriously and I tend to agree. If you could see how angry she gets when the fatigue sets in and she tells me how tired she is of feeling tired, I think you might agree. Is there anywhere the specializes in this kind of problem where I could take her for diagnosis or testing? I don't think a regular Internist of GP is the answer. I feel there is something that triggers this, perhaps an allergic reaction due to the seasonal nature of her complaint. But I don't know what to do. She says it's hard even to think and concentrate once the fatigue sets in. So any further suggestions would be deeply appreciated..

This is a very disappointing answer and exactly what I've come to expect of physicians. I am certain that this goes beyond psychological reasons for her fatigue. There is something wrong that goes beyond depression. She knows what depression is like and has been treated for it over the years. You just don't get depressed in the winter and recover in the spring. When you are depressed, there is no seasonal component. I'm not going argue with you and you don't have to respond to this. But I emphasize there's more to this than depression and I find it very frustrating that I can't find a doctor who goes beyond some off the cuff diagnosis.