Sleep & mental health: New subtype of depression linked to body clock disruptions

We all know sleep is extremely important. It does impact your mental health. In fact, at a time when the mental health discourse has also taken over various public platforms, a new research highlighting a subtype of a major depressive disorder. Let's break it down. Circadian depression is basically linked to disruptions in the body's 24-hour internal clock or circadian rhythm. Its key symptoms include sleep disturbances like waking up extremely late and sleeping longer, particularly when not feeling well. Other symptoms also include severe morning fatigue despite spending long hours in bed. Seasonal patterns may also contribute to mood, energy, behavioral changes. Their findings are backed by a study published in the British Journal of Psychiatry by Australian researchers. It basically involves clinical and genetic data from over 11,000 Australians with mostly severe and recurrent depression. And researchers also have identified that circadian depression is affecting nearly a quarter or 23% of participants. Dr. Emiliana Tonini of the University of Sydney's Brain and Mind Centre reportedly is the study's first author. She has highlighted reportedly that the researchers define circadian depression in people who showed at least three out of six of the symptoms which include a seasonal pattern of illness, delayed sleep timing, sleeping longer when depressed, being a night owl, waking up feeling very tired and social jet lag. For the uninitiated, social jet lag basically is the mismatch between the body's internal clock and its external social schedule. The study also suggesting that people affected by the subtype may not benefit from the traditional anti-depressant techniques. However, they may benefit from treatments that focus on the body's biological clock. The treatments may include melatonin-targeted medications and light therapy. Health experts also feel that maintaining strict routines, particularly ones waking and sleeping time and dietary patterns, may help in treating circadian rhythm. To stay up to speed with the latest news download the WeOn app and subscribe to our YouTube channel