Link Between Sleep and Depression

By Sophie Simon (TMS tech) and Rose George MD

Depression is a complex mental health condition that affects nearly every part of a person’s life. One of the most common symptoms is a persistently low mood and reduced emotional response. These symptoms can make daily life harder and often worsen other neurocognitive functions,, like sleep. Many people with depression struggle to get consistent or enough sleep. This is an important component of mental health to address. Sleep is vital for mental well-being, and plays a major role in recovery from depression as well.

Deep Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (dTMS) is a non-invasive treatment that has proven effective in combating major depressive disorder (MDD) and offers many lasting positive outcomes. However, like most treatments, it works best when combined with a consistent adequate sleep schedule, regular exercise, and a healthy diet.

A recent meta-analysis reviewed several studies exploring the link between sleep and the effectiveness of TMS. The results showed that a lack of sleep could negatively affect patients’ mood, emotions and emotional regulation. Patients who experienced sleep loss during the course of their treatment had increased negative mood, reduced emotional arousal, and impaired emotional regulation. Patients who consistently had poor sleep, whether from staying up late, waking up often, or sleeping too little, showed lower emotional control, which is a key part of managing depression. The researchers concluded that even one night of poor sleep could negatively affect mood, emotional balance, and stability, which could ultimately reduce the effectiveness of TMS.

The studies examined in this meta-analysis show that sleep and depression can become intertwined, thus causing some of the negative effect sleep disruptions can have on depressive symptoms. However, there is a silver-lining. Just as poor sleep can negatively impact depression, good sleep habits are associated with more positive outcomes from TMS treatment. When patients maintain a regular sleep schedule, they often feel more energized and emotionally balanced. This gives TMS a stronger foundation to work from, which improves its overall impact. Sleep is not only a necessity; it’s also a powerful tool that supports mental health and amplifies the benefits of TMS!

Sources:

Tomaso, C. C., Johnson, A. B., & Nelson, T. D. (2020). The Effect of Sleep Deprivation and Restriction on Mood, Emotion, and Emotion Regulation: Three Meta-Analyses in One. Sleep, 44(6). https://doi.org/10.1093/sleep/zsaa289