The Problem with Insomnia and How it Relates to Depression
Menopause Insomnia is a common condition in which a person is having trouble getting asleep, staying asleep or losing sleep, which may range from mild to severe. For most experts, it is a medically regarded as a symptom for depression or for an antidepressant side effect.While there may be many types of insomnia depending upon the cause and the circumstances that trigger it, acute insomnia and chronic insomnia are the two most generally classifications. The causes for insomnia are often indefinite and unknown, although there are a few theories behind its occurrence. Acute or short-term insomnia is fairly common and generally short-lived, usually caused by stress, pressures of significant life events. Other causes of acute insomnia are substance abuse for consuming large quantities of caffeine, alcohol or smoking.It may also be caused by a change in schedule such as jet lag or work shifts.
About 50 percent of cases of insomnia, causes have been unidentifiable but most notable causes may include menopause, hormonal changes during menstrual cycle, psychiatric and neurologic conditions and biological changes of those advanced in age.Chronic Insomnia, on the other hand, lasts for quite some time and is usually an indication of much higher medical problem. One notable case for this is depression.
People who are suffering from depression and are taking antidepressants such as Paxil, which contains a block box warning for insomnia, are notable examples of chronic insomnia.While insomnia in neither considered as a mental disorder or a medical condition, it produces hazardous effects which may lead to an unproductive lifestyle. Sleep is a very important factor for productivity as it replenishes a person’s energy that gives him or her the ability to think with clarity and to act with agility.Signs of insomnia may include daytime drowsiness, irritability, fatigue, not feeling refreshed after the sleep, anxiety and difficulty concentrating. This may pose greater problems when these symptoms last for a long period of time. Studies show that 40 to 60 percent of insomniacs may show signs of depression.
Users of paroxetine antidepressant Paxil have been complaining for more anxiety due to lack of sleep or other indications of insomnia. Other side effects of Paxil include nausea, fatigue, weakness, dizziness, sweating, constipation, dry mouth and yawning.The link between depression and insomnia comes in vise versa, in that insomnia may lead to depression and antidepressant intake may cause insomnia. But while insomnia may be a temporary and less significant condition, it contributes the same productivity losses as depression does.
