Sleeping pattern and depression

A person who suffers from depression can either sleep to little or sleep to much. I fall into the second category. I can sleep for 18 hours straight, wake up to eat and then go right back to sleep. I wish I could break the habit (because I feel it has become more of a habit than a symptom of depression). I have tried all sorts of alarm clocks (even those that require you to do some mental activity in order to turn it off) but I sleep right through them. Does anyone have any (non-pharmacological) suggestions?

You might get a clock radio and set it with the radio volume as high as it takes to wake you up. The put it where you can't reach it from the bed.

Then make it a routine to go immediately to the shower went you get out of bed. That will cut down on the urge to go back under the covers.

yes, i have to force myself out of bed even sometimes when i'm taking an afternoon nap. Then i take a shower, and if i nap i sometimes should take another shower, but don't always. I do understand about the sleeping in all day or too long into the morning hours, and it feels like i won't or just don't want to get out of bed. I also have a clock radio that gets me up, the radio will go on, and if its an upbeat song i am happiest but there are some songs i get depressed about like one that is being overplayed or i just heard to often. you said you think this is more of a habit for you but i used to sleep i think because my medications were too strong, as i am an meds for depression and other things.

I was in the midst of a deep depression for many years. I would sleep all day and night and not even eat. I was able to break the pattern by finding the internet and people to talk to. I was not social enough to go out and make friends, but at least I had a reason to get out of bed.

Medications can cause this. If your not on Meds. then this part of your normal sleep cycle. Change it little by little over time.