It’s not clear to you where your sense of constant tiredness is coming from. You realize that you’re depressed, and depression often comes with symptoms of fatigue. However, you also sleep terribly most nights, or struggle to get to sleep due to insomnia. So, what’s making you so worn out?
The fact is, sleep problems and depression can create a negative cycle, keeping you trapped in constant tiredness, depletion, emotional irritability, and worsened tendencies toward low mood. That’s because there’s a bidirectional link between your sleep and your mood. Issues with one directly affect the other! And, you can take control of that link and benefit day and night.
Turn to Dr. Geoff Nugent and the experienced mental health counseling providers at Nugent Family Counseling Center to help you untangle the situation and improve both your sleep and your mood.
We offer effective treatment for depression and other mental health support needs from offices in San Jose, California, Los Gatos, California, and Reno, Nevada.
The connection between depression and sleep
Depression affects different individuals in different ways. Depression might come and go in your life, or it might be a constant presence that you have to deal with.
One common symptom of depression is fatigue. Depression can steal your energy, making you feel tired all the time. The weariness that comes with depression makes it difficult for some people with this mental health condition to maintain an active, full life.
You might find yourself pulling away from loved ones, hobbies, and career goals as you cope with depression-related fatigue.
Ironically, depression can also make it challenging for you to get to sleep, or to gain quality sleep on a regular basis. Feeling tired due to depression is no guarantee of a good night’s rest. It can actually work out quite the opposite.
And, you should know that your physical and mental health are closely connected. When your body is depleted by insufficient rest, it’s harder for your brain to get out of negative thought or emotion loops, and your emotions are less easy to regulate overall.
Helping you out of the fatigue cycle
Your provider at the Nugent Family Counseling Center understands the relationship between mental health and quality rest. With our support, you can use the bidirectional link between sleep and mental health to your advantage, instead of being stuck in a negative fatigue/depression cycle.
We start by reviewing the details of your situation, including your mental health condition, medical and family history, and current sleep habits. Then, your provider guides you toward strategies for improving your mental health and wellness.
You could benefit from lifestyle changes around sleep and bedtime habits, medication management for depression, or counseling for better stress management approaches. You might also find relief through aromatherapy, often helpful for insomnia.
Additionally, we work with neurofeedback, an approach to “brain training” that habituates your brain to healthier patterns.
To break free of insomnia, fatigue, and depression, contact the experienced mental health care team at Nugent Family Counseling Center. You can schedule an appointment with a member of our team by calling now. Or, request an appointment online today.