Depression and Sleep
Here we are going to address the relationship between depression and sleep. Depression is often linked to sleep problems. A depressed person often works things over and over in his or her head. Be it failures, lack of goals or motivation, accidents, or traumas. This mental activity can have a huge impact on sleep.
Even though probably everyone experience depression at some point in their lives, depression can still be a sensitive matter to talk about. It's like we believe we have failed in some way if we get depressed for awhile.
Why? Maybe because most of us are success driven, and success should in a perfect world lead towards fulfilled desires, pleasures and ultimately happiness and joy.
In an ideal world maybe, but not here in this world. Fulfilling desires lead to temporary satisfaction that is quickly replaced with new desires. Ever so often afflictions such as depression shows up to nudge us in a new direction or to make a new discovery about ourselves. Maybe what we have been striving so hard to achieve doesn't carry the meaning we once put into it. Maybe fulfilling desire after desire leaves us feeling emptier and emptier inside.
Of course there are other reasons for depression. Accidents, abuse, failures, death of loved one, etc. can all lead to severe cases of depression.
Clinical depression and sleep
For most people, a brief bout with depression does not have to lead to any longer lasting sleep problems. For these,
following the recommendations on this site can be of assistance in many ways. However, if a generally depressed person is also suffering from sleep problems, this can be an indication of clinical depression.
A clinically depressed person should seek the help of a qualified professional such as a psychologist, psychotherapist, or other counselor.
Typical signs of clinical depression, besides a generally depressed mood, include:
- Lack of energy
- Lack of motivation
- Pessimism
- Changes in sleep & eating patterns.
- Feelings of emptiness, hopelessness, boredom, frustration, irritability, and anger
- Difficulty concentrating and making decisions.
- Poor memory
- Unexplained physical aches and pains, e.g. headaches, back pain, stomachaches, chest pain.
- Anxiety
Of course one can experience any one of these symptoms, or several of them, and still not fall under the category of 'clinically depressed'.
What it comes down to is how debilitating these factors are to ones' life in general, how long lasting they are and how incapable one feels about overcoming them.
While the suggestions offered on this site may be helpful to anyone suffering from depression, a clinically depressed person may find that the depression will have to be addressed before any improvements in sleep will occur. Medications may be necessary in the mean time so that a lack of sleep does not become too overwhelming.