Regularly sleeping less than 5 hours a night can increase the risk of developing various depressive symptoms.
We used to believe that poor sleep was merely a consequence of various mental health issues, but this new data shows that the ties between sleep and mental illness is more intricate than previously thought.
Let's find out more about this discovery.
Sleep Is Vital
The team of scientists analyzed information from older individuals and discovered that those who slept less tended to have a higher chance of experiencing symptoms of depression.
Experts clarified that while the exact relationship between sleep duration and depression remains unclear, their research using genetic susceptibility indicates that sleep patterns may come before the onset of different depressive symptoms.
The findings showed that individuals with a stronger genetic inclination for shorter sleep durations were more likely to develop symptoms of depression over a span of 4-12 years.
Interestingly, people with a higher genetic predisposition to depression did not display an increased likelihood of experiencing shorter sleep durations.
The scientists emphasized the significant impact that both short and long sleep durations, in combination with depression, have on public health.
Why It's Important
Gaining insight into the genetic predisposition for these traits can provide valuable information.
To ensure the reliability of their findings, the researchers took into account several factors, including education, wealth, smoking status, physical activity, and longstanding illness.
Previously, we talked about metacognitive therapy.
