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Does Depression Make You Tired?

Depression and Sleep | Dallas Whole Life Counseling

January 16, 2019 by James Robbins, M.A., LPC

Persistent fatigue and low energy are among the most common symptoms associated with depression. When you’re depressed, certain brain chemicals (serotonin and dopamine, primarily) are often out of balance. These brain chemicals regulate various things, including sleep, energy, focus and motivation levels. When these chemicals are off, sleep tends to suffer in one of two ways.

  1. A depressed person may sleep excessively. She may sleep well over eight hours nightly and still feel tired all the time. This doesn’t mean she is being lazy or irresponsible. It means her nervous system isn’t functioning normally, and is trying to repair itself with extra sleep. Attempts to regulate sleep by going to bed early, drinking a second cup of coffee in the morning, etc., don’t necessarily work. Until the depression is resolved, excessive sleeping may be a challenge.
  1. A depressed person may have problems staying asleep. Maybe he falls asleep easily enough, but then wakes throughout the night with racing thoughts. Or maybe he wakes a few hours earlier than he intends most mornings, with a sudden “download” of the day’s various stresses. Rarely getting adequate sleep, he may feel tired throughout the day, “going through the motions” of his daily life without really feeling a sense of connection and purpose.

 

Treatment

When sleep issues occur as a symptom of depression, treating the depression is key. Directly address the core issue, and various depressive symptoms—including sleep issues—will likely resolve. That said, sleep issues can arise from a variety of other issues, so if you’re uncertain about the cause of your sleep issue, talk to a medical doctor. If you feel your sleep problems are symptoms of depression, you can try a variety of treatment options, including:

  • Exercise (at least 3 hours before bed)
  • Meditation and deep breathing exercises, especially near your bedtime or in the morning
  • Daily mood journaling
  • Improved diet
  • Limiting alcohol and other substances
  • Individual counseling with a licensed mental health professional
  • Couples counseling, if you feel your depression may be triggered/exacerbated by relationship issues
  • Medication consultation with a primary care doctor, psychiatrist or other physician

If you feel you may be suffering from depression, but are uncertain how to begin treatment, talking with a therapist is often a good place to start. A therapist will help you evaluate your symptoms, suggest a treatment plan, and coordinate with a medical doctor, sleep specialist or other care provider as needed.

Filed Under: Articles, Blog, Common Issues, Education, Inspiration, Mood, Newsletter Tagged With: depamine, depressed, depression, depression and sleep, depression and tired, excessive sleep, exhaustion, James Robbins, sad and tired, serotonin

About James Robbins, M.A., LPC

James Robbins is a licensed professional counselor, published author and co-owner of Dallas Whole Life Counseling. He has over 15 years of experience helping people in various life stages that come from a wide variety of cultural, economic and family backgrounds. Learn more about his background by clicking here.

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  • Practicing Vulnerability in Your Relationships
  • What is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy?
  • Using Distraction as an Avoidance of Emotion
  • Tips for Managing Daily Activities while Struggling with Depression
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