Log in
Patients with depression often report insomnia symptoms such as difficulty falling asleep or waking up early.
Insomnia can worsen depression, and prolonged sleep disorders may lead to depression.
This time, we will explain the changes in sleep habits caused by depression and insomnia, and their relationship, so that they can be detected early.
In case of emergency, learn how closely depression and insomnia are related through this article, and understand their relationship so that you can take action as early as possible!
1. What are depression and insomnia?
Both depression and insomnia are diseases that cause some form of mental or physical dysfunction.
The brain does not function normally, leading to decreased concentration, fatigue, and loss of vitality, which interferes with daily life.
Below, I will explain the symptoms of "depression," which involves constant sadness, and "insomnia," which makes it difficult to fall asleep as desired.
1-1. Depression: A persistent feeling of sadness
Depression is a functional disorder that causes problems in the brain due to physical and mental stress.
This occurs when the balance of neurotransmitters such as dopamine, serotonin, and noradrenaline is disrupted, causing the brain to not function normally, resulting in a persistent low mood and an inability to enjoy anything for a certain period. *1
However, depression is not a temporary feeling of being down, like what one experiences in daily life.
Symptoms include not only mental symptoms such as depressive mood, anxiety, and restlessness, but also physical effects such as sleep disorders, loss of appetite, and fatigue.
Depression is when one loses emotions to the point where it is difficult to express in words, and faces some kind of mental or physical problem every day.
1-2. Insomnia: Experiencing days of not being able to sleep as desired
Insomnia is a type of sleep disorder in which one cannot get good sleep or has difficulty falling asleep, and it is a mental and physical illness that leads to daytime sleepiness, fatigue, and decreased motivation.
Other symptoms include loss of appetite, dizziness, and depression, and these varied symptoms are categorized into three types: difficulty falling asleep, waking up during the night, and early morning awakening.
Insomnia is not just about not being able to sleep soundly; the problem is the appearance of some kind of discomfort during the day.
If social life is disrupted for a long period or the quality of life is significantly reduced, there is a possibility of insomnia.
Also, poor awakening due to drugs, lifestyle rhythms, or environmental changes can occur, so if you are not getting quality sleep, you should consult a specialist.
2. What is the relationship between depression and insomnia?
Many people suffering from depression exhibit symptoms consistent with insomnia.
Furthermore, a life without sufficient sleep, or prolonged mental anxiety and stress, can worsen depression.
It is becoming clear that continued sleepless nights can lead to depression.
Therefore, if you have insomnia symptoms such as shallow sleep or waking up early in the morning, early and appropriate treatment is effective in preventing worsening.
Depression and insomnia are closely related, so if you continue to have difficulty sleeping or feel unrested, visiting a medical institution at an early stage would be effective.
2-1. Insomnia symptoms can sometimes be a sign of depression relapse.
If you are getting enough sleep but continue to experience sleepless nights again, it is possible that your depressive state has relapsed.
Depression and stress are particularly strongly linked, so any strong stress can trigger a relapse of the depressive state.
In particular, when brain fatigue reaches its limit or when the body's rhythm is disturbed, a relapse occurs.
Paying a little attention to your sleep state can lead to early detection, and it can be considered a sign of relapse, so if you have suffered from it once, please regularly check your sleep habits to prevent relapse.
2-2. Falling into a vicious cycle of depression and insomnia
Depression is often accompanied by sleep disorders such as "inability to fall asleep quickly" or "difficulty falling asleep." It is not uncommon for negative thoughts to creep in before bedtime, stemming from anxiety about the next day.
Also, even if you manage to fall asleep at your desired time, you might wake up many times during the night, leading to a lack of deep sleep and persistent fatigue.
Furthermore, in severe cases of depression, your daily rhythm can be disrupted, leading to a halt in decision-making and other issues. Not only sleep disorders, but you might also temporarily lose capabilities necessary for social life, so be cautious.
If you are finding it difficult to sleep, consider consulting a medical institution before falling into a vicious cycle.
3. Three types of insomnia symptoms that can cause depression
There are three types of insomnia symptoms that are believed to cause depression. When sleep quality deteriorates, problems are endless, including increased appetite, frequent illness, and decreased concentration.
Furthermore, if it becomes severe, one may suddenly become unable to move or fall asleep while driving, so it is very important to suspect insomnia symptoms early and apply appropriate treatment.
This time, we will explain the three symptoms of sleep onset insomnia, nocturnal awakening, and early morning awakening.
3-1. Sleep onset insomnia: Difficulty falling asleep
Sleep onset insomnia is a condition where you cannot fall asleep even after getting into bed, it takes 30 minutes to 1 hour or more to fall asleep, and this is distressing.
This symptom is considered to be particularly common among those who complain of insomnia.
For example, if you get into bed at 11 PM but don't fall asleep until 1 or 2 AM, the characteristic is that you want to sleep but can't. If this "difficulty falling asleep" persists regularly, you may have sleep onset insomnia.
3-2. Nocturnal awakening: Waking up while sleeping
Nocturnal awakening is a condition in which you wake up in the middle of the night and cannot fall back asleep afterward. This is often seen in elderly people, whose sleep tends to become shallower with age.
This symptom is common in people with sleep disorders like sleep apnea syndrome, neurodegenerative diseases, and depression, so be careful. If you find it difficult to fall back asleep after waking up, you may be experiencing nocturnal awakening.
3-3. Early morning awakening: Waking up earlier than planned
Early morning awakening is a condition where you wake up earlier than your desired wake-up time.
This is a symptom where, contrary to your desire to "sleep more," you wake up much earlier than expected and find it difficult to fall back asleep, even if you try to take a second nap.
Waking up early leads to extreme sleepiness and fatigue while working or studying, resulting in days lacking vitality.
However, if you wake up earlier than planned but can still go about your day as usual, it can be said there is no problem.
4. It's important not to overexert yourself when treating depression and insomnia
When treating depression and insomnia, it's important to take your time and not overexert yourself. When recovering from depression, it's crucial not to aim for 100% from the start.
For example, you might try something and ask yourself, "What did I enjoy about it?" or "How did I feel?" while spending time consulting with yourself, gradually increasing the load and engaging in various activities while adjusting.
Taking one step at a time to regain various sensations and reach a normal state may be the shortest path, without pushing yourself and proceeding at your own pace.
Summary: The deep relationship between depression and insomnia
You now understand the deep relationship between depression and insomnia.
As an initial symptom of depression, insomnia symptoms such as difficulty sleeping or waking up early are crucial signs.
Let's summarize this article.
- Depression and insomnia are closely related.
- Signs of insomnia are early symptoms of depression.
- Insomnia can cause depression to recur.
Depression and sleep are closely related, so if you experience symptoms related to insomnia such as low spirits, feeling down from the morning, or waking up in the middle of the night, depression or insomnia may be progressing.
If you have symptoms such as decreased sleep quality or difficulty sleeping soundly, visit a nearby medical institution for appropriate treatment.
【References】
※1 Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare Insomnia
