The Complex Relationship Between Sleep Deprivation and Depression

Mental health and sleep go hand-in-hand. Often, individuals with depression report experiencing insomnia, and one of the main symptoms of depression is disruption of the sleep-wake cycle. The question is, can insomnia lead to depression?

A study published in the Journal of Affective Disorders reported that people with insomnia are two times more likely to develop depression when compared to those who get a good night’s sleep.

Another study, looked at sleep patterns in 300 twin pairs, of children between the age of 8-10. They found that those children who reported having sleep problems were more likely to suffer from depression at the age of 10. They also found that genes have a lot to answer for sleep problems in these twins!

It is interesting that despite evidence suggesting that sleep deprivation can contribute to depression, acute sleep deprivation is used in patients with depression to improve mood. The relationship between sleep and mood is very complex!

Can we Explain The Complex Interaction Between Sleep Ana Mood

We still don’t know what the exact mechanism underlying this complex interaction between mood and sleep is. However, a potential mechanism through which sleep problems can contribute to mood disorders seems to be via disruption to our brain clock, otherwise known as the circadian rhythms. Interventions that target circadian rhythm have proven to be effective for the treatment of depression, suggesting that our brain clock plays a role in regulating our mood.

In terms of what happens in our brain, research suggests that lack of sleep may alter the connectivity between the amygdala, a region of the brain associated with emotion regulation, and our frontal lobe where cognitive functions take place.

Hypnotherapy Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

It’s common for people living with depression and sleep deprivation to come to associate their bed with negative feelings and thoughts. A poor night’s sleep can feel like a natural extension of a bad day or downer mood, especially when it’s become a habit.

Using a variety of therapeutic techniques with the integration of hypnotherapy renders it a highly successful way to identify and understand sleep disorders and behavioural traits associated with insomnia. hypnotherapy for insomnia sessions works at clearing the stress, anxiety and unhelpful patterns that are preventing you from sleeping or having good quality sleep, resolving any underlying emotional issues that may be in play and also reacquainting the subconscious mind with your innate ability to sleep.

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) for insomnia can help you reframe these reactions in a more positive light and build your confidence that you can get a good night’s sleep. There is some evidence to support this type of CBT for insomnia, and it’s also a proven treatment method for depression.