Is there a link between Sleeping disorders and depression
                     Is There A Link Between 
Sleeping Disorders And 
Depression 
If you've been diagnosed with depression, you may be having trouble getting to sleep or staying 
asleep. There's a reason for that. There is a definite link between lack of sleep and depression. In 
fact, one of the common signs of depression is insomnia or an inability to fall and stay asleep.That's 
not to say insomnia or other sleep problems are caused only by depression. Insomnia is the most 
common sleeping disorder in the U.S., affecting nearly one in three adults at some point in life. 
More women get insomnia than men, and as people get older, insomnia becomes more common. 
Most experts agree that adults need 7 to 9 hours of sleep a night. But even without depression, 
according to the National Sleep Foundation, the average American only gets about 6.9 hours. When 
you add depression to the mix, the problems with sleep are compounded.
What's the Link Between Sleep Disorders and Depression?
An inability to sleep is one of the key signs of clinical depression. Another sign of clinical depression is 
sleeping too much or over sleeping. Having a sleep disorder does not in itself cause depression, but 
lack of sleep does play a role. Lack of sleep caused by another medical condition, a sleep disorder, or 
personal problems can make depression worse. An inability to sleep that lasts over a long period of 
time is also an important clue that someone may be depressed.
What Is Depression?
Depression is a mood disorder. It causes you to feel sad, hopeless, worthless, and helpless. Sure, we all 
feel sad or blue from time to time. But when you feel sad for long periods and the feelings become 
intense, the depressed mood and its associated physical symptoms can keep you from living a normal 
life.
Why Is Sleep So Important?
Normal sleep is a restorative state. However, when sleep is disrupted or inadequate, it can lead to increased 
tension, vigilance, and irritability.Physical or emotional trauma and metabolic or other medical problems can 
trigger sleep disturbances. Poor sleep can lead to fatigue. With fatigue, you exercise less and that leads to a 
decline in your fitness level. Eventually, you find yourself in a vicious cycle of inactivity and disturbed sleep, 
which causes both physical and mood-related symptoms.
What Is Insomnia?
Insomnia is trouble falling asleep or staying asleep. It can interfere with or impair the way you function 
during the day. Insomnia is often a characteristic of depression and other mental health disorders. With 
insomnia, you may sleep too little, have difficulty falling asleep, awaken frequently throughout the night, or 
be unable to get back to sleep. With untreated depression, you may have overwhelming feelings of sadness, 
hopelessness, worthlessness, or guilt. These feelings can interrupt sleep. Or your mind may be in overdrive, 
ruminating about situations over which you have no control. With that rumination come high levels of 
anxiety, fears about poor sleep, low daytime activity levels, and a tendency to misperceive sleep.
What Other Sleep Disorders Are Linked to Depression?
Narcolepsy is another sleeping disorder that has been linked to depression. Narcolepsy causes 
disturbances in your sleep-wake cycle. You tend to get very sleepy at times during the day and 
frequently wake up at night.People with narcolepsy often also have depression, research shows. 
And sometimes, narcolepsy is misdiagnosed as depression. Lack of sleep can lead to symptoms, like 
lack of energy or motivation, that mimic those of depression.
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