Depression and Sleep

If you have been diagnosed with depression, the chances are more for having sleep problems. The relationship between depression and sleep is somewhat complicated. Depression may cause sleep problems and sleep problems may contribute to depressive disorder. Some people get sleep problems before getting a depression test, while some others get depression symptoms before experiencing sleep problems. Treating sleep problems can help alleviate depression symptoms significantly.

How is Sleep and Depression Linked

You may wonder how are sleep and depression linked. Lack of sleep can disturb your biologic clock, exacerbating your depression symptoms. Meanwhile, depression can influence your sleeping habits. Insomnia is one of the common effects of depression. Depression can make sleep irregular, which in turn makes the depression symptoms worse. This vicious cycle of depression and sleep problem can affect the quality of your life and health.

While understanding the way sleep and depression linked, you need to understand the causes and effects of depression on sleep. If you suffer from depression, you are more likely to experience disturbed sleep patterns and depression therapy is quickly recommended. Not getting enough sleep is the major symptom experienced by many people. Depression and sleep is interlinked in another way also. Depression can make you sleep too much. Difficult falling and/or staying asleep, waking up earlier in the morning, poor quality of sleep, sleeping during the day and waking up with a tired feeling are some of the common causes of depression.

Importance of Sleep in Treating Depression

Getting sufficient amount of restful sleep plays a vital role in improving your emotional health. If you want to get rid of depression symptoms quickly and safely, it is worth to understand the importance of sleep. Research studies show that sleep disorders like obstructive sleep apnea increase the risk of developing depression and treating sleep apnea helps improve depression symptoms. Good sleep helps rejuvenate your brain and body. It helps strengthen your immune system, regulate mood and reduce stress.
Persistent sleep problems can increase the risk of relapse of depression significantly and may delay your response to treatment. Hence, it is crucial to realize the importance of sleep in treating depression. Getting treatment to depression and sleep simultaneously can help you get relief fast.

Information About Good Sleep

There are medications to treat depression and sleep problems. However, if you want to get rid of the symptoms naturally, you need to get information about good sleep. Keeping a regular sleep and wake schedule, getting some type of exercises daily and skipping afternoon naps are some of the simple yet effective ways to get sound sleep. Information about good sleep provided by health care professionals ensures that limiting caffeine and alcohol, especially after evening can disrupt the quality of sleep. You can also practice good sleep hygiene like avoiding distractions in your bedroom, avoiding too much light and noise in the bedroom, keeping the room temperature and bed comfortable and taking warm shower prior to bedtime are some of the ways to get good sleep. Getting right amount of restful sleep can help you manage depression symptoms more effectively.