Sleep and depression have a mixed relationship. While fatigue and oversleeping are commonly known signs of depression, how they affect sleep varies for each person. Some with depression may oversleep to deal with distressing feelings, while others may struggle with insomnia or trouble falling asleep.
Recent research has uncovered how mood and sleep are connected through biology. Depression can mess with the body’s natural sleep cycles and chemicals like melatonin. This makes it hard for the brain and body to switch between awake and asleep. Scientists think depression and sleep problems might make each other worse.
Whether someone sleeps too much or too little can be influenced by various factors like how severe their depression is, other health conditions, lifestyle, and environment. This blog will talk about how depression can make some people excessively sleepy. It will also look at recent psychology, psychiatry, and sleep medicine research, offering tips to manage sleep problems linked to depression.
The Ultimate Link Between Depression And Sleep
There is a considerable connection between depression and irregular sleep habits, according to several researches. More than half of those who participate in surveys with individuals going through a depressed episode frequently report having trouble sleeping. However, each person’s experience of those sleep issues is different.
Why Depression May Lead To Oversleeping?
The following are the reasons that may lead to oversleeping.
People with major depression often experience psychomotor retardation, which means they think slower and feel exhausted or lacking in energy. To cope, many may oversleep to compensate for constant tiredness and lack of motivation during the day.
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Escape Negative Thoughts
Extended periods of bed rest may serve as an avoidance strategy for people experiencing depression. Oversleeping offers a break from dwelling on unpleasant memories and events connected to depressive beliefs.
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Slow Metabolism
Numerous studies have found a connection between depression and decreased thyroid and metabolic rates. To compensate for this drop in cellular activity, the body may “encourage” more time spent sleeping or resting by slowing down its energy-consuming functions.
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Change in the Biological Clock
Some people feel way too sleepy during the day. On the other hand, they might have trouble sleeping at night because their hormones are out of balance. This change in their body clock can mess up their sleep patterns.
Although oversleeping and depression are linked to each other, it’s projected that around 30–50% of people with depression have insomnia, i.e., trouble going to sleep.
Managing Sleep Issues Related To Depression
Discover how to handle sleep issues associated with depression. Despite the difficulties of depression, learn how to get better sleep and feel more rested.
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Psychotherapy
The first way to manage your sleep-related issue is cognitive behavioral therapy. It is considered the best of all the treatments. It begins with changing the habits that interfere with your sleep. It offers behavioral techniques for creating restful sleeping routines.
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Lifestyle changes
Frequent daytime exercise improves mood and circadian rhythms. Sleep and wake patterns can be stabilized by limiting coffee intake, screen time, and midday naps. Maintaining a routine, even on weekends, helps with sleep control.
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Light Therapy
Bright light exposure in the morning counteracts depression-related inclinations toward later sleep-wake cycles. Light Therapy has shown significant effects in reducing depression and, thus, over-sleepiness.
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Medications
One of the most common ways to treat this problem is by taking first-hand antidepressants, also known as (SSRIs). This medication can help lighten your mood, strengthen your mind, and give you a good sleep routine. You can get your sleeping pattern right with proper dosage within a few weeks.
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Short-Term Sleep Aids
Prescription sleep aids are intended to treat cyclical insomnia that doesn’t go away even after depression starts to improve with psychotherapy or antidepressants. Because of the potential for reliance, hypnotics should only be used for short periods—a maximum of 2-4 weeks.
FAQs
How does depression affect sleep patterns?
A: There are two ways in which depression can interfere with sleep, i.e., over sleepiness and insomnia.
Is excessive sleeping also seen as a sign of depression?
A: Yes, oversleeping is frequently linked to depression. It can impact the sleeping cycle and eventually cause you to sleep more during the daytime.
Can low energy and exhaustion contribute to excessive sleepiness in depression?
A: Yes, Depression is frequently accompanied by feelings of exhaustion and low energy, which increases sleepiness.
What are the differences between normal sleepiness and depression-related oversleeping?
A: Normal sleepiness usually goes away with enough rest, but oversleeping linked to depression doesn’t go away even with extensive sleep cycles.
How can managing depression improve sleep quality and duration?
A: Resolving depression with counseling, medicine, and lifestyle modifications can assist in the control of circadian rhythms and enhance the general quality of sleep.
Conclusion
People who face depression may experience a disturbed sleep pattern. This can lead to insomnia or over-sleepiness. To ensure you get the right treatment and accurate diagnosis, seek proper medical attention. Straighten your routine and identify the patterns that are causing this problem. You can get on the right track and enjoy the best sleep quality with adequate habits.
