Depression and insomnia are two of the most common mental health conditions worldwide. They often occur together, and researchers are still trying to understand the link between them. Recent studies have found that depression may lead to insomnia in some people, while insomnia can also worsen depression symptoms.
What should I know about this?
Research suggests that both share a complicated relationship. People who suffer from depression are more likely to experience difficulty sleeping or early-morning awakenings than those without depression. On the other hand, people with insomnia are more likely to develop depression over time. Furthermore, depression is linked with an increased risk of developing chronic insomnia, making it harder for people to break free from their depressive episodes.
Studies suggest that both can cause changes in brain chemistry which influence each other’s severity. Depression has been linked to imbalances of certain hormones such as cortisol and serotonin — hormones associated with regulating the sleep cycle — and these hormones can become further out of balance when depression and insomnia occur together.
We hope this information has been useful to you.
