Depression and sleep problems are intimately connected, as many people know, and the relationship seems to go both ways. Sleep disturbances, of various types, are central symptoms of depression; on the other hand, chronic lack of sleep seems to predispose one to developing depression. The difference in the “flavor” of RNT in someone with depression vs. anxiety might be that in depression negative thinking might involve thoughts about the past, and in anxiety, thoughts about the future. To study the link between this kind of negative thinking and sleep, the team tried to recruit participants who had experienced intrusive thoughts or sleep issues. They had them come into the lab and view negative images (guns, knives, threatening animals), positive images (nature, sports) or neutral ones (household items).

Source: Forbes January 05, 2018 17:37 UTC