Sleep and Depression, Understanding The Connection

The Importance of Sleep to Mood and Well-being.

Sleeping is important for everybody, including someone who is facing depression. Sometimes we think we can get by without sleep, but these days it's not an option.

With the rise in technology and the culture of always being "on", even one or two hours less sleep can make a big difference in how you feel throughout the day.

Most people need around eight hours of sleep each night for their body to perform its regular functions. Sleep is important for good physical, mental, and emotional health.

What's more, your family needs sleep, too. Chronic sleep deprivation puts tremendous strain on the whole family.

When kids are deprived of sleep they are often less enthusiastic about doing homework or getting involved in extra-curricular activities that they used to enjoy. They are also more irritable, moody, and difficult to get along with.

Sleep deprivation can undermine your relationship with your kids and it can be very hard on their self-esteem when you don't let them stay up late because you have to go to work the next day. Sleep deprivation can also make a family more vulnerable to illness if everyone is sick most of the time.

Sleep and Depression

The connection between sleep and depression is something you probably didn't realize before reading this article.

Research shows that poor sleep can worsen your mood and increase your risk of developing depression.

One of the most common complaints from people who have been diagnosed with a depressive disorder is difficulty sleeping.

A diagnosis of a major depressive disorder in adulthood requires that at least one symptom be insomnia or hypersomnia (excessive sleeping).

Sleep and Depression: It's a Two-Way Street. It is a two-way street – a vicious cycle where poor sleep can lead to depression and depression can lead to poor sleep.

When you have had trouble sleeping for some time, your mood usually worsens. You may feel more depressed or anxious, or less able to cope with life's challenges.

At the same time, the longer you have had trouble sleeping, the more it contributes to your worsening mood and ability to cope with daily stressors, making it even more difficult to sleep soundly at night.

We now know that sleep problems often begin at least a week or two before symptoms of depression emerge and that getting insufficient sleep can trigger symptoms of major depression. So a vicious cycle is triggered, where having difficulty sleeping can contribute to developing depression. In this way, poor sleep has been linked with several problems, including worsening of mood and impaired concentration.

What is Hypersomnia?

Hypersomnia is the term used to describe excessive daytime sleepiness as opposed to insomnia, which is difficulty getting to sleep at night time.

Many people with major depressive disorders have severe hypersomnia, which is a primary reason why they have trouble functioning during the day.

Individuals with severe hypersomnia often sleep up to 18 or more hours per day and still feel tired all the time.

Frequently Asked Questions Depression and Sleep

How long does it take for my child to outgrow Pediatric Sleep Disorders?

You can expect that your child will eventually "outgrow" their sleep problems. It can take several more years before their sleep improves and the more severe sleep disorders (such as obstructive apnea) are unlikely to disappear entirely.

However, your child is likely to experience fewer episodes of these disorders and more normal sleep patterns as they enter adolescence and young adulthood.

What is the best way to treat childhood Sleep Disorders such as Obstructive Apnea?

Behavioural Management is often effective at home, but your doctor may recommend medical treatment for some of these disorders.

It may be possible to eliminate or at least reduce episodes of sleep-breathing disorders by using positive airway pressure (PAP) through a mask worn at night.

Other medical treatments may include surgery to remove tonsils or adenoids (tonsillectomy and/or adenoidectomy), which are the most common causes of obstructive sleep apnea in children.