Sleep deprivation depression is a serious condition induced by individual’s inability to get a good night sleep for prolonged periods of time due to a variety of reasons.

There are four major groups of causes of sleep deprivation depression:

1. Your lifestyle is a major contributor to your inability to get a good night sleep. If you drink too much caffeine, have erratic working schedule, do not regularly exercise and abuse sleeping pills, it might significantly alter your sleeping patterns.

2. Medications for various health conditions, namely, antidepressants that do not cause weight gain, caffeine containing cold medicines and many more can have side effects of sleep deprivation and wreck havoc with your normal biorhythms. Talk to your doctor about a possibility to find an alternative medication without insomnia side effects.

3. A wide range of health conditions like asthma, obesity, sleep apnea might add to your sleep deprivation depression and make it quite difficult to fall and stay asleep for a good night’s rest. If your medical condition keeps you up all night and makes it difficult to function during the day, talk to your doctor to help you address this problem.

4. Various clinical disorders like depression and mental health problems, post traumatic stress are most often at the root of your sleep deprivation depression. Your racing thought pattern, tension in muscles and sad feelings make it impossible to relax and find peace in a good night’s sleep.

Side effects of sleep deprivation are very serious if left untreated and could result in depression, suicidal thoughts, increased chance of injuries or trauma, immune system failure and, simply, a poor quality of life. Sleep deprivation can at times have devastating side effects like a driver who falls asleep at the wheel or an air traffic control misguiding a plane’s route.

There are currently a lot of treatment options available for sleep deprivation depression including lifestyle modifications, prescription sleeping pills, psychotherapy and antidepressants. In addition, it will be beneficial to make your sleep a priority and go to bed at the same time every night if possible. Limiting caffeine intake and not exercising 2-3 hours close to bed time might help you relax faster to ease into sleep. Establishing a nice bedtime ritual including a good book, relaxing music or a white noise machine will help you fall asleep faster in the long run.