Sleep dysfunction in Depression - Implication in Therapy

One of the most consistent symptoms associated with major depressive disorder is sleep disturbance, may be the sole reason that depressed patients first seek help, and is one of the few proven risk factors for suicide. The link between the two is so fundamental that some researchers have suggested that a diagnosis of depression in the absence of sleep complaints should be made with caution. If sleep problems remain after other symptoms are ameliorated, there is a significantly increased risk of relapse and recurrence.1