[Miracle1986]

Is insomnia a part of depression?
I went to bed at like 11:30 last night,
wasn't able to fall asleep until like 1am.
Slept as light as a freakin feather until
around 1:30, when I woke up again, and
started tossing and turning again... did
that until 3:15. Fell back asleep, and
(kinda) slept until a just after 4 o'clock!!!

[pegasus]

Can be anxiety or depression or both.

Sleep is so important, if you get enough sleep you will be able to cope much better in the daytime. Try and take it easy today.

[cantstopcrying]

Sleep and I have a love-hate relationship. I have tried everything--all the techniques you hear about. I do think it's rather a vicious circle--I'm depressed and no energy and tired, go to bed but because my body didn't do anything during the day my physical body isn't tired and my mind won't shut off so I stay up late, toss and turn, wake up 4 or 5 times and sleep 3-4 hours per night. Next day I'm tired and depressed, tired from no sleep and tired because my mind won't shut down, won't stop the negative thinking. So if you can find a way to really sleep deeply, I think you'll feel better equipped to handle the depression. (As I yawn as I type this!!)

[JudeeB]

Insomnia is always part of my depressive cycles. I can fall asleep but not stay asleep. I'll sleep a couple hours and then it's tossing and turning the rest of the night. I usually give up and just get up very early. Sleep deprivation just adds to the mix. I feel terrible fatigue and think if I get tired enough I'll sleep but it just doesn't happen. Can't nap in the daytime either. I always envied the ones who oversleep when depressed but I'm sure that has it's downside too.

But when the ability to sleep returns I know the cycle is easing up. I've struggled with clinical depression since I was 16 and I'm now 60. So I know how to manage it pretty well most of the time, and not let it rule my life. When I reached a place in my life where my faith became important that was a huge help also. But a factor of my depression is chemical and I can't control my brain so that's when, if it gets bad enough long enough, I have to go back on meds.

So you are not alone with insomnia as part of depression.

Judy

[silver_moon]

It can be a part of depression, but then again it may not... varies between people I guess.

My sleep has always been bad and the more depressed I am the worse my sleep gets. I'm lucky to get 3 hours a night at the moment... and that's in between HORREDOUS disturbing nightmares and waking up, tossing and turning. I've been asked to take meds to help me sleep.

Why not try and do something relaxing before bed, try and get your mind to rest a bit. Spray some relaxing mists in your bedroom and on your pillow... natural things, see if anything helps. But, if your sleep still bothers you I think you ought to talk to your doctor about it, like Pegasus said... sleep is really important in helping you feel better and cope better with your depression.


Good luck and take care,
Molly

[digdug]

I've always been a light sleeper, which is probably related to my OCD/anxiety/somewhat depression/whatever.

There are meds that can help you get a good night's sleep. But there are also other methods. A white noise machine can really help...masks those little noises in the night that wake us up, and with the right noise you can really get into a trance.

There are many white noise websites out there these days so you can download something and play it on your computer...save a bit of money that way.

Reading is always a good way to put oneself to sleep. I've been a History major for a while, so sometimes I'll read an article or book and see if I can "dream" myself into the period about which I'm reading. Sounds strange, but you'd be amazed how little tricks like that can help, and provide a more positive sleeping experience, which is always key.

Good luck.

[turquoisesea]

I think it can be. It was for me in one stage. I couldn't sleep right all summer really. now it's switched around and I sleep more than I should.

I'm sorry sleeping's hard right now.... if you haven't already, maybe try setting aside 30 minutes - an hour before bedtime to have low light, and relaxing activities? Might not do anything... just a thought

[TheDeliciousDish]

When I was really depressed several years back, I actually sunk into being nocturnal. Since I had to be awake for school, summers would actually allow me to be awake at night, and asleep during the day. Believe it or not, I found that it actually worked pretty well to get my "night" of sleep from about 6 or 7 pm (after I got home from school) until about 3 am. Then I'd wake up and do my homework.

That may or may not work for you. I'd recommend increasing physical activity during the day. That'd make you tired at night and more ready to sleep. If there are other activities you know that put you to sleep, go for it. I used to fall asleep on my Gameboy. Not the best position to fall asleep in, but hey, it worked. Reading sometimes works, relaxing music... anything, just make sure it's something that works for you. Maybe a tape of a history lecture? I couldn't stay awake in one of those if I tried XD

Good luck!

[epiphany.]

there are a LOT of natural things you can take during the day and at night to calm your mind, and most people are more comfortable taking them b/c there isn't a risk of dependence.
i take pasaflora plex (extracted from passionflower) during the day to help me stay calm and i find that it helps keep me calm at night. before bed, i take calcium-manesium and griffonia (you can google all of these things) and sometimes benesom.

i also use meditation cds that i download to my ipod so i can lay in bed with them. i know its kind of cliche to fall asleep to tapes, etc, but it really helps me to drown out my worries.

but whatever you do, dont sleep during the day! no matter what youre body is telling you, try hard to stay on a schedule.

[snowflakes]

>>>> i think one of the symptoms of having depression is sleeping too much or having not enough sleep. There are many things you can do to cope up with insomnia. Whenever you feel like sleeping, try to get some because the more you limit or prohibit yourself from sleeping inspite of the feeling to take one, the more likely you will develop insomnia or finding a hard time sleeping. Moreso, try drinking milk because it somehow has a positive or good effect on our central nervous system since sleeping is somewhat related to the system. Go to bed at the same time every night and, more importantly, get up at the same time every morning.
Keep your bedroom dark and free of noise. And also, don't exercise after 5:00 p.m. Avoid caffeinated beverages after 5:00 p.m. More importantly, avoid the use of nonprescription sleeping pills or alcohol, because they can make your sleep restless and may interact with your depression medications.

[nightbird]

this doesn't claim anything...but!

have you tried going to a health food or organic herbal site for a tea to help you at night?

you can keep drinking caffeinated sodas or coffee or caffeinated tea in the late afternoon if you are sensitive at night to sleep problems.

the good news is, an evening ritual, where you do not over do anything or commit to meetings, phone calls etc., that tax your mind and body (as they are out right now) avoiding them can get you back in slumberland in quick time!

excluding alcoholic drinking, drug abuse, and certain health issues like bi-polar disorder without taking your medication ( I think it's worth a try to add healthy teas to your regime to battle sleeplessness) .

eat earlier at night, digest and relax, with a light snack that is not sugar loaded or caffeinated at all .. jello and tapioca is okay, or peanut butter on celery, or a piece of fruit, or crackers and cheese...other things too, like frozen yogurts, ice cream w/o triggering flavors and additives.

remember, you are trying to get back to sleeping, expect some changes, and a tad of discomfort...

bathe and relax, put on sooting music and do not watch exciting tv programs until you have this under control

read relaxing books about how you will be well if you eat right, or calming literature, fun stories, add exercise in your day, or take a stroll at night after dinner.

then watch some relaxing film, or read a good book that has lots of peaceful characters in it...this is key!

do a facial routine, a nail or set up stuff for tomorrow routine, where you know what you will wear, etc.

now your mind is clear... don't answer the phone after 9 or so

then, please wear fresh and clean pj's... they are peaceful and fresh... as are your linens...spray lavender essential oil onto your pj's and linens if you need some aromatherapy, even drop some in your bath, or the laundry, and chamomile works too! Spray the rooms if you like, not synthetic sprays though, only natural essential oils give you the benefits.


Most important part, take your tea - a bedtime tea - maybe have some ginger snappes with them, but drink your tea!

passion flower, hops, chamomile, mint, fennel seed, white oak bark, elecampane root, orange peel,lemon verbena, spearmint, corn flower, lavander flower, rose petals, skullcap, lemon balm, valerian root,
...to name a few, these are the ingredients to a relaxing, soothing night time, sleep tea.

Here is a site that has organic nighttime teas, loose tea, so all you need is an infuser to seep it in the pot, or buy a pot with an infuser already in it, I have both and they sell them reasonably, but you can buy them anywhere.

I no longer have insomnia, yet I stay up late when I want - turn in early when I want.

I want you to have this site because it is so reasonable for the fresh organics you get, I am in awe of them... they are like the #1 site right now, like we are in the top at PC.

www.mountainroseherbs.com

go to the herbal teas and find one that you want to try, get the most powerful you can though, if you are really in bad shape!

they have a section to learn about the ingredients, so please read.
remember natural is also powerful!
good luck, because you can lick this with behavioral changes and natural health aides, and good hygiene and a nighttime ritual!

Rituals are helpful for order. If something is out of control, it just needs some order.
After awhile, you can play, fluctuate, and balance accordingly.

Best to you all!

Drink night teas, and then, if you really want to help your metabolism and nerves, etc., get into other teas, like health teas.

Let me know what you think after two (2) weeks!

It is how long it took me to change 35 years of bad sleeping habilts.

Love and Peace