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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by Mr. SadPuppyDog on October 9, 2002, at 11:48:24
http://www.mercola.com/1998/feb/16/sleep_pattern_indicates_depression.htm
SLEEP PATTERN MAY INDICATE DEPRESSION
A particular sleep profile runs in families and that the sleep profile seems to be fairly clearly associated with an increased susceptibility of family members to suffer from depression. Researchers may actually be closer to learning about the genetics of depression by pursuing sleep as a means of what might be underlying depression's development.Two major sleep states are rapid eye movement (REM) and non-REM. Non-REM is classified by overall brain wave slowing. It occurs in stages 1-4, where 1 is the most activated brain and 4 is the least activated. Deep sleep is low wave, occurring in stages 3-4. REM is when brain activity is similar to when people are awake, but they are really deeply asleep.
The sleep profile the researchers identified is characterized by an earlier onset to this REM state and a drop out in slow wave sleep. Overall, there is more REM sleep and less slow wave sleep and a quicker slide into REM sleep. This discovery led the researchers to conclude that there is a fundamental regulatory problem in sleep which is linked to people's vulnerability for depression.
Relatives of depressed people who have rapid REM onset were four times more likely to also have rapid REM onset, and that their risk of depression was nearly double compared with the relatives of other depressed patients. The study findings also suggest that rapid REM onset indicates a higher risk of depression than having a family member with depression.
Most people are not aware that they may have this sleep profile. It is not associated with waking up often during the evening or not feeling rested in the morning. However, if people have a substantial number of family members who seem to have a problem with depression, that suggests they may have this sleep profile.
American Journal of Psychiatry (1998;155:192-199)
Posted by Seamus2 on October 9, 2002, at 23:07:17
In reply to Sleep Pattern may indicate depression, posted by Mr. SadPuppyDog on October 9, 2002, at 11:48:24
IsoM may be able to shed more light on this, but I believe narcolepsy is associated with rapid onset of REM, both during attacks and at bedtime.
I'd love to see a study of melatonin metabolism among narcoleptics, clinically depressed, and controls. I'd wager in the former two groups the secretion was higher.
Posted by IsoM on October 10, 2002, at 1:48:21
In reply to Re: Sleep Pattern may indicate depression, posted by Seamus2 on October 9, 2002, at 23:07:17
There's not enough info in the report for me to say much. I know with narcolepsy, it's not so much rapid onset of REM sleep in narcolepsy as almost immediate REM when I fall asleep. Because my sleep border is thick, I am often aware of myself falling asleep & am aware of starting to dream. The dreaming will often start before I'm fully asleep.
This 'may' be different than what's called rapid onset - I don't know. Would have to learn more to understand better. So far, although I take both Provigil & Dexedrine to help me stay bright & alert in the daytime, nothing seems to change my sleeping profile at night. And I still awaken many mornings feeling groggy, but not really 'unrefreshed'.
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