Since my job went hybrid in 2024, I'm on Zoom calls probably 6-7 hours a day. I feel exhausted even on days I'm not working much, and I've noticed my depression symptoms getting heavier. Is video call fatigue a real thing or is it just an excuse?
Video call fatigue is definitely real - researchers have found that constant eye contact simulation, the delay in conversations, and seeing yourself on screen all create genuine cognitive and emotional strain that's different from in-person interaction. That kind of exhaustion can absolutely make depression worse since you're already dealing with depleted mental energy, and when you're worn down like that, your brain has less capacity to fight off the heavier stuff. Six or seven hours a day is a lot, so it's worth trying some concrete stuff like turning off self-view, taking actual breaks away from the screen, or even just asking if some meetings could be audio-only instead. Your symptoms getting heavier isn't you making excuses - the fatigue and the depression are probably feeding into each other.
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