3 ms·

Skipping a night of sleep is a better way to combat depression. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/why-sleep-deprivation-eases-depression/ https://www.

Skipping a night of sleep is a better way to combat depression. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/why-sleep-deprivation-eases-depression/ https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/why-sleep-depriva... https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7362414 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7362414

6nf 10y ago
I don't know if you read that but '... the mood boost usually lasts only until the patient falls asleep.' and 'As an ongoing treatment, sleep deprivation is impractical'
whiteandnerdy 10y ago
Since there's a possibility people will try this, the linked article states that the benefits usually only last until the patient falls asleep. This isn't a practical treatment strategy right now, although it is interesting scientifically. If you have depression I'd urge you to take the advice of a medical professional rather than attempting to self-treat.
- jcoffland 10y ago
  According to the original article taking the advice of a medical professional could be much more dangerous. Missing a night of sleep seems to horrify some people but it's quite safe. Just don't operate heavy machinery. But thanks for the safety lesson.
  - lsc 10y ago
    So, uh, I'm ignoring the medication debate, but: > Missing a night of sleep seems to horrify some people but it's quite safe. Just don't operate heavy machinery. Most of us drive to work most of the time. Yes, most of us operate heavy machinery every day, often in busy areas. People worry all the time about guns and planes and other potentially dangerous things; people don't worry nearly enough about transportation accidents. If you didn't sleep, call a cab (or a rideshare, or a friend) - don't risk the lives of everyone around you.
  - DanBC 10y ago
    We know that sleep deprivation increases risk of attempted suicide and death by suicide. We also know that sleep hygiene helps fix sleep problems. "Skipping a night of sleep" isn't compatible with sleep hygiene. In general suggesting made up bollocks to "treat" an illness which is potentially fatal isn't a good idea.
jacalata 10y ago
Funnily enough, the moment I decided to see a doctor about my depression was when I was waiting for a bus to uni one morning after being unable to sleep all night and desperately wanted to walk into the traffic and be done with it all. So, YMMV.

6nf 10y ago

I don't know if you read that but '... the mood boost usually lasts only until the patient falls asleep.' and 'As an ongoing treatment, sleep deprivation is impractical'

whiteandnerdy 10y ago

Since there's a possibility people will try this, the linked article states that the benefits usually only last until the patient falls asleep. This isn't a practical treatment strategy right now, although it is interesting scientifically. If you have depression I'd urge you to take the advice of a medical professional rather than attempting to self-treat.

jcoffland 10y ago
According to the original article taking the advice of a medical professional could be much more dangerous. Missing a night of sleep seems to horrify some people but it's quite safe. Just don't operate heavy machinery. But thanks for the safety lesson.
- lsc 10y ago
  So, uh, I'm ignoring the medication debate, but: > Missing a night of sleep seems to horrify some people but it's quite safe. Just don't operate heavy machinery. Most of us drive to work most of the time. Yes, most of us operate heavy machinery every day, often in busy areas. People worry all the time about guns and planes and other potentially dangerous things; people don't worry nearly enough about transportation accidents. If you didn't sleep, call a cab (or a rideshare, or a friend) - don't risk the lives of everyone around you.
- DanBC 10y ago
  We know that sleep deprivation increases risk of attempted suicide and death by suicide. We also know that sleep hygiene helps fix sleep problems. "Skipping a night of sleep" isn't compatible with sleep hygiene. In general suggesting made up bollocks to "treat" an illness which is potentially fatal isn't a good idea.

jacalata 10y ago

Funnily enough, the moment I decided to see a doctor about my depression was when I was waiting for a bus to uni one morning after being unable to sleep all night and desperately wanted to walk into the traffic and be done with it all. So, YMMV.