Depression can cause sleep disturbances ranging from insomnia or disturbing dreams to too much sleep time. Several factors are involved in disturbed sleep, including increased levels of anxiety and arousal, abnormalities in circadian rhythm (some of which may affect by drugs used in treating mood disorders), and the fact that the brain and neuronchemical systems involved in mood regulation. Both sleep disturbance and fatigue of a depressive illness. Sleep studies on patients with depression show problems with sleep continuity, decreased slow wave sleep, and abnormalities in REM sleep, among other findings.

If a major depression is present, you need to see a doctor or psychiatrist. There are many different and effective medications for treating depression. Not all people will respond to the same medication and you might have to trial different medication to find the ideal on. Most drugs for depression work by altering the brain’s neurochemical balances. Many take several weeks to work and treatment should be persisted with for at least 6 months.

Cognitive behavioral and other talking therapies may be useful adjuncts to treatment of depression depending on its severity. Sleep deprivation and light therapy can be used as alternatives or in conjunction with medication, even if the depression is non-seasonal. However, these treatments must only be undertaken with appropriate medical guidance.

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