REM sleep

What is the connection between sleep and depression?
If you don't get enough sleep you will feel more tired and this makes you susceptible to depression. If you are already depressed then lack of sleep may worsen your depression. You must cure any sleep problem you have if you want to combat your depression.

You suffer from depression - do you also suffer from insomnia?
Disturbed sleep results from thinking about your problems too much. Have you ever been tired but unable to stop thinking? Your fears and worries, can keep you awake. Insomnia happens because your brain waves need to slow down but thinking speeds them up stopping sleep.

Too much brooding and thinking?
If you dwell on problems too much during the day you may feel tired and stressed even after you sleep. Tiredness and stress cause and maintain depression. By constantly thinking about your problems you can make them worse not better. When you are depressed you need to rest and heal. By making your brain work harder you make yourself less able to handle your problems effectively, your anxiety increases and your depression deepens.

How can dreams affect depression?
Constant brooding fuels your dreams. Too much dreaming makes you feel tired when you wake up. To fight depression you need to rest well at night.

How does REM sleep affect your depression?
REM - rapid eye movement - happens when you dream. If you have too much REM sleep or dream too much you will awake in the morning tired or even exhausted.
Your brain processes the thoughts you have had during the day in your dreams as images representing those thoughts. Reduce the thinking you do during the day and you will reduce REM sleep to a normal level.
Too much REM sleep means less relaxing deep sleep. Deep sleep helps to refresh you and keep you healthy so it is the most important part of your sleep routine. Depression is worsened when you are tired.

Why you need to cure your insomnia before you can cure your depression
When you are tired life is difficult and joyless. Insomnia strengthens your fear of lack of control. If you can't sleep well you begin to feel less in control of your life.
Depression feeds insomnia and vice-versa.
First cure your insomnia and you will feel better in mind and body making recovery possible.