The Impact of Sleep on Depression and Anxiety
Depression is a state of sadness and low energy that persists abnormally. Where a normal person may feel sad, a change of mood does occur. However, a person suffering from depression is unable to change moods easily and can exist in a prolonged depressive state. Symptoms of depression include restlessness, nervousness, extreme levels of low and high energy, inability to focus, insomnia and suicidal thoughts. When a person feels fearful or apprehensive, they can be described as experiencing anxiety. Symptoms of anxiety include physical traits like chest pain, shortness of breath and nausea. Anxiety can also result in the inability to sleep.
Sleep is an essential occurrence that the body needs to remain healthy and functioning in an optimal form. There is a connection between sleep, depression and anxiety. Insomnia or lack of proper sleep has been known to trigger depression and anxiety. If sleep deprivation persists, an individual may begin to notice symptoms of both depression and anxiety. People become more irritable, experience states of moodiness, have low energy levels, are described as “jumpy” or easily frightened, have irrational thoughts, have an inability to focus and a host of other symptoms. Unfortunately, when the situation of insomnia is combined with depression and anxiety, it can turn into a vicious cycle where a person does not sleep because they are anxious and they are anxious because they are depressed and vice versa. Depression medication can also adversely impact sleep as a side effect.
A sleep disorder such as night terrors can also be cause for anxiety. If a person is prone to sleep disorders, agitation, increased blood pressure and tiredness make the person anxious and depressed about their condition. In dealing with depression and anxiety, a person should aim for at least 8 hours of sleep every day. As people get too much or too little sleep, their moods suffer. Developing and sticking to a healthy sleep schedule can help alleviate the symptoms of depression and anxiety. Anti-depressants calm depression symptoms by placing certain compounds into the body. Deep sleep cycles can also release similar compounds such as an important hormone known as serotonin, which can combat depression.
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