Although it may sound surprising, the truth is that depression is pretty common and is usually accompanied by sleep issues. Precisely speaking, more than 16 million Americans suffer from some type of depression and more than 75% of people have some sleep disorder.
In other words, depression and sleep disorders go hand in hand. But, what’s the exact connection? If you want to find out more, just continue reading this article.
The Connection between Depression and Sleep
The link between depression and sleep is really interesting. Namely, suffering from depression can negatively affect sleep, while sleep disorders can cause insomnia.
Evidence shows that depression can significantly impact sleep. A whopping 70% of people with depression also suffer from some form of sleep disturbance which is why sleep issues are considered major depression symptoms.
A depressed person can either develop insomnia or hypersomnia. Insomnia is a very common sleep disorder characterized by difficulties falling and staying asleep for weeks, even months. Hypersomnia, also known as excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS), is another sleep disorder characterized by abnormal sleepiness throughout the day.
On the other hand, research shows that insomnia increases the risk of suffering from depression by nearly 10 times. One study found that there’s a strong connection between depression symptoms and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) – the most common type of sleep apnea characterized by frequent breathing interruptions during sleep due to obstructed airways.
The Connection between Depression and Insomnia
The link between depression and insomnia is a two-way street. According to one study, both insomnia and hypersomnia are connected with an increased rate of suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Indeed, insomnia itself as a sleep disorder increases the risk of suffering from depression symptoms by 10 times. Similarly, another study shows that people with depression typically get too little sleep (less than 6 hours) or too much sleep (over 8 hours).
The Connection between Depression and Sleep Apnea
As already noted, there’s also a correlation between depression and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). One study shows that depression increases the risk of suffering from a breathing-related sleep disorder by 5 times. In addition, a review found that between 21% and 41% of hospitalized OSA patients reported depression symptoms. What’s more, the risk of having depression caused by OSA increases with age as suggested in one study that showed that 26% of OSA patients older than 65 have notable depression symptoms.
When to Seek Medical Help?
If you have any of the following symptoms, ensure you see a doctor so as to get the right diagnosis and treatment:
- Constant sadness that lasts for whole days, for more than a couple of weeks
- Frequent suicidal thoughts
- Abnormal and unusual pain, or digestive issues unsolvable with medical treatment
- Inability to fall asleep for several days
- Consistent concentration and memory issues
- Waking up gasping or choking
- Headaches that don’t go away
- Persistent anxiousness and irritability
- Extreme daytime fatigue and sleepiness
- Loss of sex drive
To conclude, the connection between sleep and depression is quite obvious. Sleep disorders can lead to depression, while depression can cause sleep issues. So, don’t neglect your symptoms and reach out to professionals for help. Fortunately, with the right treatment, you can successfully manage both depression and sleep disorders such as insomnia or sleep apnea.