Depression and oversleeping don’t usually go hand in hand. Most people who are depressed suffer from lack of sleep and appetite. However, atypical Depression makes you want to sleep more and also eat more. It also heightens your hypersensitivity. For instance, you find that you get really affected and offended when things do not go your way.  The amount of sleep one needs is subject to change over the course of their life.

Age and activity level play a big role in determining how much sleep one needs. Generally, children should sleep for up to 12 hours with toddlers requiring even more hours of sleep. Adults, on the other hand, require at least 7 hours of uninterrupted sleep.

There are several factors that can affect one’s ability to adhere to the recommended hours of sleep. Depression is one of the most common causes of sleep pattern interruption.   

What Is Atypical Depression?

As mentioned above, oversleeping can be caused by atypical Depression.

Atypical depression is often described as the first phase of depression before it graduates to dysthymic disorder or major depression. People who have been diagnosed with atypical depression are found to have a history of depression. In most cases, it first occurred in their teenage years. This condition is more prevalent in girls than it is in boys.

Atypical depression occurs when there is impairment in the function of brain circuits. These circuits are responsible for mood and are also responsible for communication in different brain parts. These brain circuits contain nerve cells, which transmit signals through neurotransmitters to different parts of the brain. When this process is interrupted, it reduces the production of serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine, which are good mood hormones. 

Depression and oversleeping risk factors include:

•    History of depression in a family

•    Significant loss from divorce, death or separation. This may trigger depression.

•    Emotional, physical or sexual abuse

•    Major life event

•    Serious illness

•    Alcohol and drug abuse

Symptoms associated with atypical disorder include:

•    Atypical depression leads to excessive laziness. You find it harder to leave your bed and get things done, decision making becomes a task

•    Low self-esteem issues, irritability, guilt and lack of energy

•    Overeating from increased appetite

•    Feeling sleepy throughout the day even when you enjoy the required amount of sleep at night

While there is no specific medical test that can ascertain whether or not one has atypical depression, impaired norepinephrine and autoimmune dysfunction of the thyroid can be leading indications of the condition.

Treatment for Oversleeping Caused by Depression

If you are diagnosed with oversleeping and depression, also known as atypical depression, there are different available options for treatment. Treatment can be administered as a blend of psychotherapy and medication. Lifestyle changes can also go a long way when it comes to recovery. 

1. Use of Antidepressants

When it comes to medication, antidepressants are used to suppress all symptoms of depression. SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) like paroxetine, sertraline, and fluoxetine can be prescribed based on the symptoms exhibited.

2. Use of Supplements 

Doctors can prescribe deplin supplements for depression and oversleeping. This supplement contains a folic acid and vitamin B active form known as L-methylfolate. This is responsible for providing the brain with the nutritional support it needs to be able to produce neurotransmitters. These are responsible for good mood.

SAM-e supplement is also a very effective remedy. This supplement is used to reverse the symptoms of the worst form of depression.

3. Seeing a Professional 

Alongside taking medication, it is highly recommended that you talk to a psychiatrist or a therapist. This has been found to bring positive change in how you think or behave. This goes a long way in treating oversleeping and depression.

4. Brain Stimulating Techniques Like ECP

In some severe cases of atypical depression, hospitalization may be recommended. This is done in order for the doctors to administer treatment methods that involve more than oral medication. ECP (electroconvulsive therapy) TMS (transcranial magnetic stimulation), as well as VNS (vagus nerve stimulation), are types of therapies that can be used to treat acute atypical depression. Even so, these methods are usually recommended in cases where psychotherapy and medication methods of treatment fail to be effective.

How to Prevent Atypical Depression

There is really no sure way of preventing any type of depression. Even so, these few strategies can go a long way in helping you to prevent depression and oversleeping.

1. Control your stress - stress is one of the leading courses of depression. By controlling your stress levels, you cut the chances of developing depression by up to 50 percent. Controlling stress also helps to boost your self-esteem and moods, which goes a long way in preventing depression.
2. Talk about issues – if you are going through a rough patch, it is advisable for you to find a family member or friends you can talk to. This helps you to deal with the situation since you have someone to help. Stressing over issues without talking to someone about it is a leading cause of depression.
3. Seek treatment early enough – if you find that you are having a harder time controlling stress or emotions, these are early indicators of chronic stress disorder which leads to depression when left untreated.
4. Get long-term maintenance drugs – if you have undergone treatment for atypical depression, you can prevent a relapse by using maintenance treatment options. If you stick to this treatment religiously, you’re unlikely to suffer a relapse.
5. Lifestyle changes – changing how you live your life can go a long way in helping you prevent the development of depression. Lifestyle changes include taking account of situations and issues that bring you stress. By planning how to ease the stresses in your life, you will have reduced the chances of developing depression. Also, alcohol and drug abuse can cause depression. It is advisable for you to manage or completely cut off the use of alcohol and drugs.