The Reciprocal Relationship Between Depression and Sleep Disturbance Among People in Different Age Groups

Abstract

Depression and sleep disturbance are both factors that affect people’s health worldwide. Depression and sleep disturbance can lead to health impairments. This article briefly reviews studies regarding depression, sleep disturbance, and different age groups. This article focuses on the reciprocal relationship between depression and sleep disturbance among young and old adults. The causes of depression are various and differ between young and old adults. Young adults often experience depression because of the drastic shift as they first undergo adulthood. Old adults experience depression because of the helplessness brought by aging. The two age groups experience depression mainly because of the sudden change in life. Late-life depression is characterized by being underdiagnosed and untreated because late-life depression is often comorbid with other medical conditions. Therefore, depression in the elderly is easily mistaken for a normal aging medical illness. Depression and sleep disturbance are highly associated, but the types of sleep disturbance shown in different age groups are different. Studies also suggest a reciprocal relationship between depression and sleep disturbance. Depression could cause sleep disturbance, and sleep disturbance could be a risk factor for depression.