How to deal with the extreme tiredness that comes with depression

[whiteiphone123]

hi everyone,

I was wondering if anyone has some tips as to how to deal with being tired all the time but not being able to sleep while living with depression. any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

[white knight]

Hi 123, welcome

I have depression as does my wife. She's a sleeper Im not.

Im more a manic person my wife needs a nap every afternoon.

Have you had a sleep study?. Mine resulted in concluding I had modetate sleep apnea meaning I use a CPAP. It makes a big difference

My gp told me that all meds for depression are tranquilizers so they make you drowsy.

Sorry I cant help any further.

Tony WK

[Doolhof]

Hi Whiteiphone,

Welcome to the community. There is actually a thread here called "Sleep" you can find it in the Staying Well section (hopefully! ) I didn't get much sleep last night as my husband was due home from work at 11.30 p.m. and didn't return until 2.30 p.m. then had to be up again for his second job at 6.00 a.m.

My mind is a little frazzled this morning. If you are able to find this thread, you may well find some answers there about depression and sleep.

Some points to consider briefly are: diet, exercise and a regular sleep routine.

There is a lot of information on Google as well about "Sleep Hygiene" strange title, but worth having a look at.

As Tony has mentioned he and his wife are quite different in respect to depression and sleep, hopefully you will find something to aid you.

If I nap in the afternoon, I try not to make it too late in the day. I also try to then be active in some way so I feel more tired to actually sleep later.

A walk helps me to feel more awake and energised. Even a few stretches help with that.

Hopefully someone can direct you to the Sleep thread. My mind is a little fuzzy right now!

Cheers from Dools

[geoff]

hello Whiteiphone, people are different when they are struggling with depression, what they eat, how and when they sleep or stop any social activities.
I know people who can't sleep and I ask them what they thinking of, well their minds just churn over and over thinking about all the 'what if's or why' trying to find an answer that will never come to them, so they get so 'wound up' which means to have a circular or spiral course or direction, sleep doesn't happen.
I'm one who sleeps quite a lot, having a cat nap in the afternoon, because that heaviness overtakes me and can fall asleep easily.
I know that many people could only wish this would happen to them, but what I would do is have the telly on or listen to your favourite radio station, not so much the talk-back programs but the music you like.
Sleeping tablets may help but you may rely on taking them every night, so they can become an addiction. Geoff.

[meercat]

Welcome. meercat here.

Ah..sleep. i think Geoff has the right idea.

woke up early the other morning and could not get to sleep. I was restless and tired and had to be up at 5am.

So i downloaded an app for different styles of music and chose "classical". I have no idea why, maybe because i grew up with that kind.

Soon i was listening to the music and after a few nights the whirring in my head stopped. The constant chatter and racing thoughts are gradually leaving too.

Im going to try this with some modern music and see if it works.

Cheers

meercat xx