Depression and Sleep Problems: How Are They Connected?

Reading Time: 2 min

People often think about health conditions individually. For instance, you have insomnia, or you have depression, and you seek treatment for the separate issues. However, our bodies and minds aren’t dressers with individual drawers for standalone problems. Instead, they’re all part of a holistic, intimately connected system, especially in the case of sleep disorders and mental health.

Our team at All Day Medical Care Clinic has advanced training in a comprehensive range of specialties. However, we also understand the complex nature of health and wellness, such as the link between depression and sleep. Whether you have depression, a sleep problem, or both, here’s what you should know about the connection between these conditions.

Depression and sleep problems

The connection between depression and sleep is a two-way street. Simply put, depression can impact your sleep, and a sleep disorder can lead to depression.

One of the most recognizable depression symptoms involves trouble sleeping. It’s so common that up to 70% of people with depression have sleep issues, including insomnia.

However, many people don’t know that having sleep problems — such as insomnia or sleep apnea — increases their chances of developing depression. In fact, your likelihood of developing depression symptoms increases nearly 10 times if you have a sleep problem.

At the end of the day, it comes down to the same problem: poor sleep quality reduces emotional resilience by 31%. So, whether you’re missing out on those ZZZs because of depression or a sleep problem, you end up with fewer positive moods to help you deal with the stress and challenges of everyday life.

Understanding the links between these issues can help you spot the signs of a problem early. By doing so, you can get the treatment you need to recover and feel your best again.

Know the warning signs

If you haven’t received a diagnosis for a sleep problem or depression, keep an eye out for issues that can indicate a problem, such as:

  • Difficulty falling or staying asleep
  • Feeling tired throughout the day
  • Experiencing pain or physical discomfort, such as persistent headaches
  • Showing signs of sleep apnea, such as loud snoring or pauses in breathing at night
  • Feeling helpless, hopeless, or sad
  • Challenges concentrating or remembering things
  • Losing interest in activities you once enjoyed
  • Having thoughts of death or suicide

Don’t wait to talk with your doctor if any of these symptoms sound familiar. Providing them with as much information as possible can ensure you get the treatment you need before problems worsen.

Treating depression and sleep problems

Depression and sleep problems may be related, but that doesn’t mean treating one can cure the other.

Instead, your provider performs a comprehensive exam, discusses your symptoms, and outlines a personalized strategy. For example, if you have sleep apnea, you could need a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) device to restore your sleep quality. If depression is causing your sleep issues, your provider might recommend medication or therapy.

In addition to customized treatment for sleep problems or depression symptoms, we often outline lifestyle changes that can treat both conditions, such as:

  • Following a healthy diet
  • Exercising at least 30 minutes each day
  • Keeping a consistent sleep schedule
  • Avoiding electronic devices for at least two hours before bed
  • Limiting time online, including social media
  • Practicing meditation or breathing exercises
  • Cultivating strong personal relationships with friends or family

Our whole-body approach can help you get the sleep you need to feel your best again.

Do you have a sleep problem, depression, or both? We can help you get well. To learn more, book an appointment online or over the phone with All Day Medical Care Clinic today.

All Day Medical Care Clinic Team

Autor

All Day Medical Care Clinic Team

This article was prepared with the All Day Medical Care Clinic Team and its experienced clinic providers, ensuring accurate and reliable health information.

Essential Screenings for Women’s Health Exams

There’s a reason why a routine health exam can feel, well, routine. That’s because these appointments establish a baseline of...
Read More

Tips for a Stress-Free and Enjoyable Holiday Season

Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's – the holiday season is a cherished time when we come together with loved ones...
Read More

Importance of Mental Health Awareness for Healthcare Workers

Mental health in healthcare workers is critical due to the demanding nature of their profession. Healthcare workers often face high...
Read More

6 Benefits of Group Therapy

If the idea of group therapy has left you feeling embarrassed or intimidated, we have good news for you: Group therapy...
Read More

Common Viruses in Children: 7 Infections Kids Pick Up at School

Children are naturally curious and social, making schools a hotspot for the spread of infections. While classrooms provide an ideal...
Read More

Five Reasons Why You Should Get an Annual Check-Up

Modern life is busy and exciting and goes by at a quick pace. However, health care often becomes an afterthought,...
Read More

Telehealth: The Advantages of Telemedicine

The COVID-19 pandemic has triggered dramatic changes throughout everyday life — and in the medical community as well. Not only...
Read More

I Feel Constant Frustration: Can Anger Management Help?

Like most emotions, frustration isn’t necessarily a bad thing. In fact, experiencing some frustration from time to time can spur creativity...
Read More

12 Common Illnesses that Peak in the Fall 

With the fall, the human body is exposed to increased stress. The rapid changes in temperature, decreased sunlight and high...
Read More

How Can You Ease Back-to-School Anxiety and Stress?

The beginning of the school year usually brings joy to school children. Many of them have missed school for six...
Read More

The Importance of Well-Baby Care

Most people put off a trip to the doctor until they have a cough, cold, or other health concern. However, preventive...
Read More

What to Know When Heart Disease Runs in Your Family

When a close relative like your mother or father has a heart attack, it’s natural to wonder: “Is heart disease...
Read More

Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Mental Health, Anxiety, and Depression

According to a scientific brief published by the World Health Organization (WHO), in the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic,...
Read More

Overcoming Trauma: Finding Light in the Darkness

What is Trauma? Trauma is an emotional response to a terrifying and dangerous event, which threatens and harms an individual’s...
Read More

STD Awareness: Popular Questions, Advice, Treatments

Sexually transmitted diseases, STIs and STDs (sexually transmitted infections and sexually transmitted diseases) are a widespread problem. World Health Organization...
Read More

9 Tips to Live a Healthy Lifestyle – And Why It’s Important

Have you ever wondered what a healthy lifestyle includes? Why should we keep living healthily? There is no such person...
Read More

Dizziness: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

Very often patients come to a neurologist with dizziness. Indeed, no one has ever experienced it. This term describes a...
Read More

15 Ways to Keep Your Brain Young and Healthy

Like any complex mechanism, our brain requires attention and care, so that even in older age it continues to operate...
Read More

Staying hydrated is just as important in fall and winter as it is in summer!

Did You Know the Importance of Staying Hydrated During Fall and Winter? When the weather cools down, and the air...
Read More

Understanding Your Options for Mental Health Treatment

It can feel overwhelming trying to figure out where to start when it comes to taking care of your mental...
Read More

Depression and Sleep Problems: How Are They Connected?

People often think about health conditions individually. For instance, you have insomnia, or you have depression, and you seek treatment...
Read More

Home-Based Child Behavioral Disorder Help

No one ever said being a parent was easy. But it can be even more challenging when your child has...
Read More

Understanding Blood Pressure Readings

It’s no secret that your blood pressure plays a big role in your heart health, but do you know why?...
Read More

Strengthen Your Relationship with Couples Counseling

People make a lot of assumptions about therapy, especially when it involves relationships. For instance, you may assume your problems...
Read More

What is Pink Eye (Conjunctivitis)?

What is conjunctivitis? Pink eye is a condition where the inner layer of the eyelids and the protective layer of...
Read More

Allergies in Kids: Symptoms & Treatment

Caring for a child's health is a key task for parents. Many people faced with allergies in kids do not...
Read More

Noncardiac Chest Pain: Symptoms, Causes and Treatments 

Noncardiac chest pain is a frequent reason to visit a doctor, as it can indicate serious diseases of the lungs, digestive...
Read More

Comprehensive Mental Health Treatment for All Disorders

Studies show that almost half of all American adults experience some type of mental illness at some point. Mental disorders can develop...
Read More

Introduction to Stress and Its Impact on Health

The list of stress-related illnesses is only getting longer as the years go by. In moments of special experiences, the...
Read More

The Importance of Back-to-School Health Checks for Kids

Confess how often you ignore preventive visits to your doctor's office, when you are feeling well, and nothing is bothering...
Read More

When Should I Go to the ER Instead of Urgent Care?

Health problems often come out of nowhere, especially when they involve an injury. However, whether you have a fever that...
Read More

Keeping Your Holiday and Winter Cheer Bright

The festive holiday season and chilly winter months often come with emotional challenges that can dim your cheer. Shorter days,...
Read More

Getting Help for Your Anger Issues

Anger is a healthy emotion, and most of us get mad at times. This reaction can occur for various reasons,...
Read More

Understanding ADHD: What You Need to Know

Many parents often come to see a psychologist with complaints about their child's inattention, inattentiveness, increased mobility, inability to control...
Read More

How Suboxone Works to Treat Opioid Addiction

  Understanding Opioids and Opioid Addiction Opioids are substances commonly prescribed for pain relief. They activate natural pain receptors in...
Read More

What is Croup?

What is croup? It is a syndrome characterized by swelling of the larynx, which occurs against the background of various...
Read More

Can Therapy Save My Marriage?

In the United States, 40-50% of marriages end in divorce. Those numbers can seem alarming, but they’re also starting to drop,...
Read More

The Differences Between Flu and COVID-19

At a glance, it can be easy to confuse the flu and COVID-19. After all, they’re both respiratory illnesses, they’re...
Read More

Your Complete Guide to Men’s Health Screenings by Ages

According to a US survey, 33% of men believe they don't need annual men's health screening by age. According to...
Read More

Are Your Immunizations Up-to-Date?

If you don’t remember the last time you had an immunization, it could be time to schedule a doctor’s appointment....
Read More

Mastering ADHD: Strategies for Adults in Daily Life

About ADHD ADHD, also known as adult attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, affects 4.4% of American adults aged 18-44 (NAMI, 2023)....
Read More

Why Relationships Are Key to Well-Being

Unlock the true potential of your well-being by embracing the power of healthy relationships! Imagine a life filled with joy,...
Read More

10 Home Remedies for Strep Throat Symptoms

Pharyngitis or strep throat is one of the most frequent reasons for visiting general physicians and otolaryngologists (statistically about 15%)....
Read More

Top 10 Tips to Manage Blood Pressure & Prevent Hypertension

Did you know 1 in 3 adults have high blood pressure? This condition, also known as hypertension, is especially dangerous, because people...
Read More

Work Injury? Get Evaluated and Plan Your Recovery

Unfortunately, workplace injuries are a common problem. In 2020 alone, 2.7 million people sustained nonfatal illnesses and injuries on the job, and...
Read More

Baby’s First Year: Doctor Visit Schedule

Bringing a baby home comes with magical milestones and unexpected twists and turns. But, there’s one thing you can expect:...
Read More

How To Deal With Pet Allergies: Tips and Tricks

Pets bring their owners a lot of joy and pleasure, but they can also cause a lot of trouble, so...
Read More

Flu Season Is Here: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

No one wants to get sick, and that goes double when it involves influenza (flu). This highly contagious respiratory infection often...
Read More

How Setting Goals Can Positively Impact Our Mental Health

The speed of modern life is increasing day by day, and psychological and emotional stress is growing along with it....
Read More

What are Anger Issues?

Anger is a normal emotion that can be useful for mental health. It helps us identify things that hurt us...
Read More

We'll text you

Enter your info and we’ll text you shortly.

By clicking Send, I agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, and I consent to receiving text messages from this practice acknowledging that data rates may apply. Message frequency varies.