depression and sleep problems?

Question

i am suffering from depression and find myself sleep too much. has anyone had this problem with sleep when depressed ? how can one overcome it and prevent oneself from sleep too much?

Answer 1

I empathize with your problem. Are you in treatment for your depression? This is critical in long term treatment. You may need medication and/or talk therapy (psychotherapy) to help target and cope with triggers/stressors. Set your alarm clock and use this as a cue to get out of bed. I understand that feeling of not wanting or caring if the bed ever gets made again but that's not going to help your situation. Start planning on obtaining treatment and talking to others about your feelings. Acceptance is the key to living the life you were meant to live. Good luck!

Answer 2

I work with psychiatrists and patients very closely (though I am not actually a doctor or therapist or anything) and sleep problems and depression go hand in hand, I've gotta tell you. When you're depressed it's hard to make yourself NOT over-sleep because the drive to do anything helpful for yourself is nil, really.

Some things you can do to help yourself is (kind of like trouble shooting for yourself, they may or may not work, but give them a try first) setting an alarm clock and making yourself eat a breakfast immediately upon waking up and then do something like take a walk or go buy groceries, don't just sit around. That'll compound things.

Go to sleep earlier and if you have drapes or curtains, leave them open so sunlight will get in when you awaken.

Drink lots of water before going to sleep so you'll feel more urgency to get out of bed. :P

But these are temporary fixes for just the sleeping part of the problem. I strongly suggest seeking professional help. Sometimes just therapy (talking to a counselor) will help worlds but often times medication such as Zoloft or Wellbutrin will give you just the boost you may need to pull yourself out of the rut.

What ever you do, however, do NOT self-medicate. If you can get medication from a friend, don't do it! Not all mood elevators work the same way and have varying side effects. In addition, after seeing a psychiatrist you may find that it's not just depression you have.

Answer 3

I suffer from the same thing. The only way to help yourself without medication is to get to a gym and exercises about 5 days a week. You have to force yourself to overcome the want to just sleep your life away.
If you have a lot of fluorescent lights in your house or work, see if you can get multi-spectrum lighting installed (the bulbs only cost $20 more).
I hope this helps you. I suggest trying those things out instead of trying medication, since people have a hard time figuring out which medications work, and which ones don't (and some make you drowsy anyway).

Answer 4

I've been there many times.... Yesterday I didn't get out of bed at all.... If you haven't seen your doctor or a counsler I suggest doing so. I know it's hard to talk to strangers about your problems, but it really does help to get an outside perspective. Your doctor can put you on anti-depressants... if you aren't already on them. I struggled with the fact that I have to take a pill everyday to be "normal," but it's soooo worth it in the long run. I know that you can overcome this, with time... If you ever need to talk to someone that knows exactly what you are going through, feel free to email me anytime :)

My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Good Luck My Friend- Don't ever lose hope!

<3

Answer 5

I have the same problem. I either sleep too much or too little. No rhyme or reason to itl...just chalk it up to dysfunction. You could try to set a schedlule for yourself. Set a time you MUST get up (even if you have nothing to do) and occupy yourself with anything at all! Set some tiny goals for your day and see them thru...set a bed time and go to bed whether you sleep or not. Get sleep when you can...get things done when you can. just do the best you can right now. Focus on success not what you did not get done.

Answer 6

Yes, and the more you sleep the worse it gets. You have to force yourself to get up, clean up, do your chores, go outside in the sunshine and fresh air at least 20 minutes every day. Go to the mall and walk around or to the public library. Shower, dress in a nice outfit and get going. You are probably not eating right either. Stop eating junk, drink a lot of water and take a multi vitamin every day. Think about going to church and look into Bible study. Good luck.

Answer 7

That is a common symptom of depression. You should definetely seek counseling either from a friend at first and then eventually from a professional. If you are against those ideas then start a journal and excercise more at least. Dont let it go on too long depression is serious. Good luck.

Answer 8

Excessive sleeping is a sign of depression........try taking a walk as they say exposure to the sun and fresh air help with depression......otherwise your antidepressant may not be effective for you....check with your physician to see about changing you medication or starting on one.......some antidepressants to cause sleepiness so you may take it before bed but others cause sleeplessness which should be taken in the morning.....each individual is different see what works for you

Answer 9

I've been there...I know its hard when all you want to do is be alone and sleep but you need to push yourself to keep busy. Make plans with friends, take up a hobby..get a second job maybe. You have to keep yourself active and out of the house.

Answer 10

Been there. Needed medication. When I was completely oversleeping I found that Wellbutrin worked best for me - the others tended to magnify the sleepiness. Good luck. You can get to the other side of it.