Is Depression Causing Your Insomnia? by Paul Stevens

If you suffer from insomnia, chances are you also experience depression, since most sleeping disorders have a psychological cause. In fact, in most people who do not seem to sleep well, a combination of stress, anxiety and depression exists in varying degrees.

According to experts, anxiety, depression and insomnia actually result in a loop because anxiety and depression cause excess stress, which manifests itself in various sleeping disorders. Problems sleeping then cause even more stress. To tackle this vicious cycle, you may need to get the advice of a psychologist or doctor, so that the problem can be addressed with the right solution. Often, people hesitate to talk about the various issues that are bothering them. This builds up into anxiety and makes them depressed. In some cases, people find it easier to discuss their problems with a total stranger. In this case, a psychologist, who is trained to listen and understand without getting involved, might be the answer. Psychologists are also trained to resolve emotional issues, helping the individual suffering from insomnia to overcome depression and other psychological problems. If you suffer from depression and insomnia and have decided to talk to a psychologist, it is best to be completely honest when you express your concerns. This is not always easy, but if you want to overcome your insomnia and help yourself stay emotionally, physically and mentally healthy, you have to make the effort. Not expressing your true feelings will only make it harder on yourself.

Therefore, the first step to overcoming depression and anxiety is to face the problem and deal with it. Being honest about your feelings can help to a great extent. If you feel angry, find a healthy outlet rather than bottling it all up. If you avoid the problem or resist reacting, you will only end up hurting yourself more.

If you feel completely sad and miserable and find you are having difficulty sleeping, you are probably dealing with depression and insomnia. The good news is that there are various traditional and alternative remedies to this problem. What you need to know is that just because you think you are depressed, you may not necessarily be suffering from "clinical depression." Depression, like stress, is a natural emotion. It is an excess of this that turns into a psychological disorder. And this is the time when you must seek help.

Insomnia, as such, is not uncommon. While some people suffer from chronic insomnia, some just experience it temporarily. In any case, insomnia can affect your health in a negative way because your body does not get the rest it needs to function properly. Depression gradually sets in, and the worry of not being able to sleep builds up over time, resulting in physical and mental strain. Thus, the intervention of a professional becomes necessary so that the dual issue of depression and insomnia can be resolved.

Many people find that counseling alone makes a big difference, because once you talk about what is worrying you and find a solution to it, you begin to sleep better. While depression frequently causes insomnia, sometimes it is the other way around, with insomnia causing depression. Your physician may suggest lab tests to rule out the possibility of hormonal imbalances and other physical causes. Whatever method you seek to overcome your depression and insomnia, there is definite help available in the form of prescription medications and natural remedies. There is hope.