Daytime Sleeping Men: Depressed Or Simply Tired?

Sleep and depression are closely linked, and while insomnia is more likely to be associated with depression, oversleeping could also be a symptom. Research suggests that most people living with major depression have some type of sleep difficulty. Depression often affects mood, energy, and outlook for the future, and can make people feel drained, lethargic, and hopeless. It can also cause persistent changes in mood that show up in most areas of life, such as a loss of interest in activities, feelings of hopelessness, and a low mood that doesn't go away. If you notice that you or someone you know is sleeping all day, it may be a sign of depression, especially if it's accompanied by other symptoms such as changes in appetite, persistent irritability or mood swings, difficulty experiencing joy or connection, and self-harm or self-injury.

Depression and insomnia

Sleep and depression are closely linked, and a lack of sleep can worsen symptoms of depression. Sleep problems can be both a symptom of and a risk factor for depression.

Symptoms of Depression

Depression is characterised by persistent feelings of sadness, disappointment, and hopelessness, as well as other emotional, mental, and physical changes that interfere with daily activities. Symptoms include:

• Troubling thoughts
• Irritable mood
• Difficulty concentrating
• Lack of energy
• Changes in appetite
• Feelings of hopelessness, worthlessness, or guilt
• Loss of interest or pleasure in activities
• Thoughts of death or suicide

The Link Between Depression and Insomnia

A 2016 meta-analysis found that insomnia is significantly associated with an increased risk of depression. Insomnia can mean having trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking up at the desired time. Essentially, a person isn't getting enough sleep to function well.

The link between insomnia and depression is bidirectional, meaning that having one condition increases the risk of having the other. However, insomnia predicts depression more consistently than depression predicts insomnia.

Treatment Options

The treatment approach depends on the individual. Doctors usually treat what a patient identifies as the primary problem first. Sometimes, treating depression can resolve sleep troubles. Treatment options include:

• Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)
• Relaxation techniques
• Exercise
• Mind-body practices
• Medication

Oversleeping as a symptom of depression

Overview

Depression and sleep problems are closely linked, with a majority of people experiencing depression also facing sleep issues. Sleep issues can contribute to the development of depression, and depression makes a person more likely to experience sleep troubles. While insomnia is more commonly associated with depression, oversleeping can also be a symptom.

Prevalence

Research suggests that oversleeping is a symptom in 15% of people with depression. It is more commonly a symptom of atypical depression, where a person's mood can improve in response to a positive event, but only temporarily. Oversleeping can also be a sign of underlying sleep disorders, such as sleep apnea, which is commonly comorbid with depression.

Causes

People with depression may oversleep as a form of escape, feeling that they have nothing to look forward to and therefore no reason to start their day. It can also be caused by an interruption to their circadian rhythm, resulting in a delayed sleep phase where they are unable to fall asleep early and sleep into the morning or early afternoon.

Impact

Oversleeping can exacerbate and worsen depression symptoms. It can cause feelings of having missed out on the day, falling behind, and not being able to accomplish tasks. It can also have other negative impacts on health, including an increased risk for diabetes, heart disease, stroke, fertility issues, cognitive decline, and obesity.

Treatment

If oversleeping is a symptom of depression, it is important to seek treatment for the depression itself. However, sleep difficulties may persist even with treatment, so it is crucial to also address sleep needs. This may involve treating undiagnosed sleep disorders and improving sleep habits and patterns.

Identifying Depression Naps

It can be challenging to distinguish between a napping habit that is a symptom of depression and simply being exhausted. To identify whether it is a depression nap, it is important to assess whether basic human needs are being met, such as getting enough sleep, eating healthily, socializing, and exercising. If low mood persists for more days than not, along with a loss of interest in pleasure, it may be time to speak to a professional.

Atypical depression

Oversleeping can be a symptom of atypical depression, which affects around 15% of people with depression. Atypical depression is a specific type of depression in which a person's mood can improve in response to a positive event, but this improvement is only temporary and the underlying depression remains.

The diagnosis of atypical depression is based on the criteria stated in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). According to the DSM-5, atypical depression is characterised by mood reactivity (improved mood in response to positive events) and at least two of the following symptoms:

• Significant weight gain or increased appetite
• Hypersomnia (excessive daytime sleepiness)
• Leaden paralysis (heavy feeling in the limbs)
• Long-standing pattern of interpersonal rejection sensitivity resulting in significant social or occupational impairment

To summarise, atypical depression is a type of depression where a person's mood can temporarily improve in response to positive events. It is associated with symptoms such as increased appetite, hypersomnia, and interpersonal rejection sensitivity. It tends to have an early onset, is more common in females, and is characterised by chronic symptoms and functional impairment.

Sleep disorders

Insomnia

People with insomnia may have a tenfold higher risk of developing depression than those who get a good night's sleep. Insomnia can create a cycle where anxious thoughts keep you awake, leading to more anxious thoughts. It is also linked to depression, with approximately 40% of people with insomnia having clinical depression, and up to 80% of patients with depression experiencing bouts of insomnia.

Hypersomnia

Hypersomnia is a sleep condition characterised by excessive sleepiness during the day. It is also a symptom of depression, with nearly half of people with major depression experiencing hypersomnia. Those with hypersomnia may wake up feeling disoriented and still drained of energy, lacking the motivation to get out of bed and start their day. Other symptoms include trouble with concentration and memory, slowed-down thoughts or speech, and changes in appetite and weight.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Obstructive sleep apnea is also commonly linked to depression. This condition causes a person to stop breathing repeatedly during sleep, leading to fragmented and disrupted sleep. As a result, they may feel exhausted even after sleeping for an adequate number of hours. Sleep apnea can also cause non-restorative sleep, leading to a cycle of oversleeping in an attempt to catch up on rest.

Circadian Rhythm Disorders

Circadian rhythm disorders involve a disruption to the body's internal clock, which regulates the natural sleep-wake cycle. This can lead to difficulty waking up in the morning or sleeping past your alarm, as your circadian rhythm is delayed. As a result, you may find it challenging to fall asleep early, leading to a pattern of sleeping into the morning or early afternoon hours.

Bidirectional Relationship

The relationship between sleep disorders and depression is bidirectional, meaning that poor sleep can contribute to the development of depression, and having depression makes it more likely to experience sleep troubles. This complex relationship can make it challenging to determine which issue came first.

Impact of Sleep Disorders on Depression

Treatment

Treating sleep disorders is crucial for managing depression effectively. Cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) and continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) devices for sleep apnea can help restore healthy sleep patterns. Additionally, addressing sleep issues in conjunction with depression treatment may improve remission rates for depression.

Circadian rhythm disruption

Circadian rhythm is the body's internal clock that allows us to adapt to predictable environmental changes. Circadian rhythm disruption can be caused by jet lag, night-shift work, or exposure to artificial light at night. Circadian rhythm disruption is closely linked to depression and other mood disorders.

Circadian Rhythm and Depression

Symptoms of Circadian Rhythm Disruption

• Sleep disturbances
• Changes in appetite
• Persistent irritability or mood swings
• Difficulty experiencing joy or connection
• Self-harm and self-injury

Treatment of Circadian Rhythm Disruption

Treatments for depression that directly affect circadian rhythms include bright light therapy, wake therapy, social rhythm therapy, and antidepressants.

Circadian Rhythm and Anxiety

Circadian Rhythm and Bipolar Disorder

Circadian Rhythm and Schizophrenia

Frequently asked questions