Sleep Disturbances and Depression

There is a relationship between depression and changes in sleep patterns.

Photo Credit: Giuseppe Milo (www.pixael.com) Flickr via Compfight cc
Photo Credit: Giuseppe Milo (www.pixael.com) Flickr via Compfight cc

One of the symptoms for Major Depressive Disorder is “insomnia or hypersomnia nearly every day.” Insomnia and hypersomnia are two sleep disorders, described below. Because disturbances in sleep are such a prevalent symptom of depression, we thought it would be important to talk about sleep disorders, sleep patterns, and what “normal sleep” looks like.

Before we dive in, it’s important to note that only a professional can diagnose individuals with mental health disorders. We want to warn against the dangers of self-diagnosis, especially relating to mental illness. If you or someone you know is experiencing some of these symptoms, it’s okay to investigate further by educating yourself on the disorder, but important to get a professional opinion before drawing any conclusions. Continue reading Sleep Disturbances and Depression