Insomnia disrupts the normal way of life. This can become a vicious circle. You have insomnia. You worry because you can't sleep. As the worry increases, your insomnia escalates. Leading to what? Again, depression. If you are already depressed, then the depression deepens. If you are recovering from depression, insomnia can cause a relapse.
A very common cause of depression is Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD. SAD is caused by the shortened days and the reduction of sunshine during the winter months. It is more common in northern climes, but can be experienced anywhere sunshine is absent for any length of time. That lack of sunshine disrupts your sleep patterns, and, again, can cause you to feel SAD and depressed.
Shift work can also cause sleep deprivation, especially if you work a job where you change shifts often. Many people find it almost impossible to sleep during daylight hours, and hard to stay awake when night falls. They most force themselves into this pattern because of the changing shifts. This can really disrupt the circadian rhythm and cause insomnia -- and depression.
But let's put the shoe on the other foot. This is truly a two-way street, because depression disrupts every aspect of your life, including your sleep patterns. You go to bed at night and worry about your state of mind. The more you worry, the more depressed you become, and, the more you worry, the deeper your depression becomes.
Sometimes all you want to do is escape from your depression, from the desire to cry, from the emotional roller coaster you are on. In this case, sleep can become excessive rather than limited. You sleep to avoid your problems. Usually there are other physical symptoms as well, like loss of appetite, headaches and weight fluctuations.
Some types of depression, like unipolar depression, can be aided by sleep deprivation. The problem is that you have to sleep sometime, and that sleep, even if it lasts only a few minutes, can cause you to become even more depressed.
If you suffer from any combination of depression and sleep disruptions, talk to your health professional about it. There are ways to treat these problems. Untreated, your condition may become worse. Don't let the winter blahs, sleep deprivation or depression disrupt your lifestyle. Get the help and advice you need to bring back your energy and joy.
