Affecting more than 18 million Americans each year, depression is now the leading cause of disability in the U.S. and according to government statistics, more than half of people with depression are also plagued by insomnia.
A report from a series of
sleep and depression studies funded by the National Institute of Mental Health showed that addressing and curing insomnia may double one’s ability to fully recover from depression.
Relieve Insomnia, Cure Depression
The report originated from a team at Ryerson University in Toronto, where 66 patients were studied over a treatment period of 8 weeks, using talk therapy to resolve insomnia, rather than sleep medication.
The results were outstanding and further confirmed the findings of a similar pilot study:
• 87% of those who relieved insomnia through biweekly talk therapy sessions also resolved their depression, supported by either an antidepressant drug or placebo.
• Participants who were unable to relieve their insomnia were half as likely to resolve their depression.
How Did the Participants Relieve Insomnia?
Along with talk therapy, researchers taught participants a technique called cognitive behavior therapy for insomnia (CBT-I), and according to the study’s author, Dr. Colleen Carney, the objective is to, “Curb this idea that sleeping requires effort, that it’s something you have to fix. People get in trouble when they begin to think they have to do something to get sleep.”
CBT-I teaches patients to:
• Establish a regular wake-up time and stick to it.
• Get out of bed during waking periods.
• Avoid eating, reading, watching TV or similar activities in bed.
• Avoid daytime napping.
Treating Underlying Issues
Similar studies and our own experience treating patients has shown us that rumination, or replaying the same thoughts over and over in your head, plays an important role in both depression and insomnia. Rumination, insomnia, and depression are totally interconnected.
We have seen that this type of rumination is extremely common in those with untreated and undertreated
overfocused ADD,
anxiety, and depression along with having a brain type that leans toward compulsive, or repetitive behaviors and beliefs, often times negative. Having enough repetitive negative thoughts will successfully sow the seeds of depression over the long-term.
We Can Help
The Amen Clinics Method takes the time to address depression, insomnia, and
sleep disorders with the right kinds of treatment – instead of masking the symptoms with a medication alone – producing far better recovery rates. Call us today at 888-288-9834, or
tell us more about your situation to learn if treatment at Amen Clinics may be right for you.
