Many people with depression also have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep. That isn’t just a coincidence; one of the most common symptoms of depression is insomnia. There is a definite link between the two conditions. That is not to say that everyone who has trouble sleeping is depressed. In fact, insomnia affects one out of three adults, whereas depression affects around 7 percent of the population. Adults need 7-9 hours of sleep, but even without depression, few actually get enough sleep. Having depression only compounds the issue. Keep reading to learn more about depression, insomnia, and the link between them.
Clinical Depression
Depression is a mood disorder that causes those who have it to feel sad, hopeless, and helpless. Everyone feels blue from time to time, but when those feelings last for a long time, it can be a sign of something deeper. When these feelings become more intense, your depressed mood and the physical symptoms that come along with it can prevent you from leading a normal life.
Insomnia
Those who have trouble falling asleep or keeping a normal sleep schedule may be suffering from insomnia. This condition can cause nonrestorative sleep and can impair the way you function throughout the day. Insomnia is often a symptom of depression and other mental health issues, though you can have one without the other. Some common signs of this condition include sleeping too little, difficulty falling asleep, waking up often through the night, and being incapable of falling back asleep.
The Link Between Depression and Sleep Disorders
Being incapable of sleeping is one of the main signs of clinical depression. Oversleeping or sleeping too much can be another symptom of depression. Having a preexisting sleep disorder doesn’t in itself cause depression, but a lack of sleep can play a part in it. Not sleeping enough and not getting restful sleep can make depression worse. But that’s not all; the relationship between sleep and mental health is somewhat symbiotic. If you have untreated depression, the overwhelming feelings of sadness, worthlessness, and guilt can interrupt your sleep and keep you up at night. The two issues feed into each other and make the effect on you even worse.
Why Is Sleep So Vital?
Normal sleep is restorative. When it’s interrupted or inadequate, however, it can cause greater irritability, tension, and vigilance. Poor sleep leads to fatigue, which, in turn, leads to a decline in energy and your fitness level. If you continue on this way, you will be stuck in a cycle of inactivity and interrupted sleep. This often creates physical and mood-related symptoms. For your overall well-being, you need a good night’s sleep.
Treatment Is Available
Not all is hopeless; there is treatment available for both depression and insomnia. Reach out to one of the best inpatient treatment centers for depression to get help and find a treatment plan that works for you. Treatment depends largely on the degree of the mood disorder. A doctor may recommend talk therapy, counseling, medication, or some combination of the three. By treating your depression, you will alleviate the symptoms associated with it, including sleep disorders. If you are suffering from depression, reach out to us at Kinder in the Keys, Inc., to learn more about all of the depression treatment options for women available to you.