Scientists have linked insomnia with symptoms of depression

Sleep disorders often accompany depression and can make it difficult to restore a psychological state. A study by Australian scientists has shown that insomnia therapy is associated not only with improved sleep, but also with a reduction in negative thoughts and increased daily activity. About why working with sleep disorders can be important for depression, see the Izvestia article.

Insomnia can interfere with recovery

According to a study published in the journal Behavior Research and Therapy (BRT), sleep disorders occur in most people with depression. Scientists from the University of Western Australia have studied how cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia is associated with changes in symptoms of depression and everyday behavior.

According to the researcher, if sleep disorders persist, the risk of depression returning increases. At the same time, therapy aimed directly at depression can improve sleep, but it does not always completely eliminate insomnia.

Four weeks of therapy and follow-up of participants

The study involved 88 people who simultaneously experienced symptoms of depression and sleep problems. They completed a four-week course in cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia, a structured approach that helps them change thoughts and behaviors that interfere with normal sleep.

The program included cognitive and behavioral techniques, as well as training in the principles of healthy sleep. The researchers assessed the participants' condition before the start of therapy, after its completion, and three months later.

This approach allowed the researchers to track how sleep changes correlate with psychological state and daily activity. At the same time, the work was devoted not only to the severity of insomnia, but also to cognitive and behavioral factors that can accompany depression.

Doctors pointed out the danger of chronic sleep deprivation for the brain

Less negative thoughts and more activity

After the course of therapy, participants reported a decrease in insomnia symptoms. They also had fewer recurring negative thoughts about everyday problems and sleep-related worries. In addition, people were more likely to engage in physical and social activities, as well as devote more time to meaningful things for themselves.

Researchers have found a link between reducing recurring negative thoughts and improving symptoms of depression. This connection was especially noticeable for thoughts that arise before bedtime and experiences about sleep during the day. An improvement in daily activity was also correlated with a change in the condition of the participants.

According to her, the results show that cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia can be a relatively time- and cost-effective way to simultaneously work with sleep disorders and some factors related to depression.

Why is it important to consider both conditions?

The results of the study indicate the possible benefits of an approach in which sleep disorders are separately taken into account in the treatment of depression. If insomnia persists, it may be accompanied by negative thoughts and decreased activity, so working with these factors can complement help aimed directly at the symptoms of depression.

However, the study does not prove that insomnia therapy alone guarantees recovery from depression. It involved 88 people who completed a specific program, and the results show a link between changes in sleep, thinking, activity, and psychological state. They do not allow us to assert that the same effect will occur in all patients or that this approach can replace other types of care.

The authors consider cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia as a promising area that can help improve treatment approaches for people experiencing both sleep problems and symptoms of depression.