Insomnia, Depression Closely Linked

(NewsUSA) - At least 40 million Americans suffer from long-term sleep disorders, while another 20 million people experience occasional sleeping problems. Stress, anxiety, stimulants, medications, late night meals and schedule changes can all cause insomnia, but its effects prove universal -; without sleep, patients lack energy and motor abilities, and feel irritable and depressed.

Some experts claim that as many as 19 million Americans suffer from depression every year. Such high numbers imply that there may be an overlap between individuals with depression and sleep problems. In fact, sleep disturbance is one of the core symptoms of clinical depression. People with sleep disorders are also more likely to suffer depressive and anxiety disorders.

Individuals suffering from depression have chemical imbalances, primarily the neurotransmitter serotonin. Serotonin levels also effect sleep. Low serotonin levels cause depression, but studies suggest that sleep replenishes serotonin levels. There is a dynamic relationship between sleep and depression, where the quality of sleep either affects or is affected by the presence or lack of depression.

For instance, if night after night, a person cannot fall asleep, they can become fatigued, forget things and ultimately settle into a depressed state. On the other hand, a person suffering from depression might be unable to sleep due to constant sadness, worry and melancholy. Sleep and depression seem to be interconnected both biologically and behaviorally.

Americans need to pay attention to their sleeping habits. While it's normal to have a difficult time sleeping when worrying about an upcoming deadline or after an exciting event, frequent occurrences necessitate another look. This is not to say that every person with a sleeping disorder or depression has both, but that the signs of either behavior warrant monitoring.

If you think you are suffering from a sleeping disorder or depression, visit a health care professional, or, to screen yourself for depression, visit www.FreedomFromFear.org.

"Article By: NewsUSA"