Sleep Disorders and Depression
Throughout the ages, excessive sleep has often been a signal of depression, even when it was not officially recognized as such. Excessive sleepiness, also called Hypersomnia, is an excessively deep or prolonged major sleep period and it is often related to major depression.
Hypersomnia is often associated with difficulty in awakening and is believed to have a connection to the central nervous system.
Signs of Hypersomnia
- Long periods of sleep, often 11 hours and over
- Excessive sleep episodes of non-REM sleep
- Gradual onset, increasing in severity and occurrence
- Onset typically appears before age 25
- Typically present in periods of at least six months
- Frequent need for daytime naps, even with excessive nighttime sleep
- No cataplexy or sleep paralysis
With Hypersomnia, many patients develop symptoms of irritability, which include impulsive behavior, depersonalization, hallucinations, depression, and confusion.
Many believe that excessive sleep is directly related to a major depressive episode because the victim feels the need to tune the waking world out and escape into peaceful dreams of a better life, however, this is not the case for those who suffer from major depression with Hypersomnia.
Behavioral therapy for major depression is a serious treatment for this condition and, along with good sleep hygiene, avoidance of shiftwork, alcohol and caffeine, help can be found.
Depression is an illness that can be treated and seeing a qualified therapist can be your gateway to a new life. If you have been suffering from depression or believe that you are, working in concert with your medical doctor and a therapist can help you overcome this illness.
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