Comments on: Insomnia may precede and prolong major depression http://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2005/06/21/insomnia-may-precede-and-prolong-major-depression/ Dr. John Grohol's daily update on all things in psychology and mental health. Since 1999. Mon, 13 Feb 2012 22:26:24 +0000 hourly 1 By: Sam http://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2005/06/21/insomnia-may-precede-and-prolong-major-depression/comment-page-1/#comment-191427 Sam Wed, 04 Apr 2007 08:51:06 +0000 http://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2005/06/21/insomnia-may-precede-and-prolong-major-depression/#comment-191427 I am currently legally disabled due to nearly life-long recurring clinical depression which has tended (as is often the case) to get worse with each major recurrence, and finally became functionally debilitating several years ago [I am 52]. My body reacts atypically to most anti-deps, and only Nardil, an old MAOI rarely prescribed today, has proven to be reliably useful. I have also had atypical (and frequently shifting) sleep patterns all of my life. I wouldn't call it "insomnia", exactly--but my system seems completely divorced from the "normal" diurnal cycle. What's more, it has often been remarked upon--by my psychological caseworker and others--that I tend to have a much better emotional affect on the days when I've been up all night, than on the days when I've gotten the "normal" amount of sleep. As far as I know, I am unique in this. Does anyone know if similar cases have been documented and studied? I would love to know as much as possible about such cases, if so. Thank you. I am currently legally disabled due to nearly life-long recurring clinical depression which has tended (as is often the case) to get worse with each major recurrence, and finally became functionally debilitating several years ago [I am 52]. My body reacts atypically to most anti-deps, and only Nardil, an old MAOI rarely prescribed today, has proven to be reliably useful.

I have also had atypical (and frequently shifting) sleep patterns all of my life. I wouldn’t call it “insomnia”, exactly–but my system seems completely divorced from the “normal” diurnal cycle. What’s more, it has often been remarked upon–by my psychological caseworker and others–that I tend to have a much better emotional affect on the days when I’ve been up all night, than on the days when I’ve gotten the “normal” amount of sleep.

As far as I know, I am unique in this. Does anyone know if similar cases have been documented and studied? I would love to know as much as possible about such cases, if so.

Thank you.

]]>