Symptoms of depression and sleep problems

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Symptoms of depression and sleep problems

You may be depressed if you have experienced 5 or more of the following symptoms most of the day, nearly every day, for at least 2 weeks. People who are depressed will have at least one of the first two symptoms:

• Feeling negative, hopeless, or "down in the dumps." Children may seem irritable instead of depressed.
• Noticeable loss of interest or pleasure in almost all activities
• Significant weight loss or gain
• Difficulty falling asleep or sleeping too much
• Feeling restless and unable to sit still
• Feeling tired all the time
• Feelings of worthlessness or inappropriate guilt
• Inability to concentrate, remember, or make decisions
• Recurring thoughts of death or suicide

Most people experience some form of depression at some point in their lives. Depression can range from a minor problem to a major, life-threatening illness. Depression is almost always treatable. For many people, treatment can mean a whole new life.

If feelings of depression are causing your sleep problems, work with your health professional to develop a plan to decrease your depression and promote sleep.

Credits

Last updated:	January 12, 2007
Author:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA
Reviewed By:	William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine, Lisa S. Weinstock, MD - Psychiatry
Editors:	Sydney Youngerman-Cole, RN, BSN, RNC, Tracy Landauer