There’s a fascinating article in the New York Times about the link between sleepless nights and relief from depression. It has been reported that a sleepless night has in some cases offered relief from depression. While not sleeping is not any sort of treatment in itself – it causes its own cognitive problems – scientists hope that there is something in the brain chemistry resulting from sleeplessness that might provide future treatments.
I remember back in my student days feeling a strange high after a sleepless night… followed inevitably by utter collapse a couple of hours later. Who would have ever thought I was at the cutting edge of science?
Its an interesting article, and usually I dismiss most biological explanations for depression.
I suffered from insomnia and various other sleep disorders most of my life. I’ve also had 2 serious bouts of depression.
My sleep problems never really bothered me until I was prescribed anti- depressants which contained a sedative. Now that I know what a good night sleep is, I can’t live without it. Although I’ve found other ways to achieve this now I’m no longer taking medication.
Also explains why my over sleeping whilst depressed wasn’t at all helpful.
I’ll try to remember this on Saturday when I want a lie in.