Skip to main content
How can we help you?
< All topics
Print

somnio and depression

Published
Updated

In this article, you will learn how sleep problems and depressive symptoms are connected and what role somnio can play when insomnia is present at the same time.

How can sleep problems and depressive symptoms be connected?
Sleep and mental health are closely connected. Many people with depressive symptoms report persistent sleep problems, for example difficulties falling asleep or sleeping through the night, early awakening, or the feeling of not being rested despite sufficient total sleep time. Conversely, persistently poor sleep can also contribute to depressive symptoms becoming stronger or lasting longer.

A stressful cycle of rumination, contraction, and lack of sleep
In depression rumination, negative thoughts, and inner contraction often play a role, making it especially difficult to unwind at night. At the same time, disturbed sleep can lead to exhaustion, reduced ability to focus, lack of drive, and mood swings during the day. In this way, a stressful cycle can develop in which sleep problems and depressive symptoms reinforce each other.

Does somnio treat depression?
It is important to know: somnio does not treat depression. The app does not replace medical or psychotherapeutic treatment of a depressive illness. somnio is specifically aimed at people with chronic insomnia and digitally implements cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) – an evidence-based recommended form of therapy for the treatment of sleep disorder.

However, somnio can be useful when insomnia is present in addition to depressive symptoms. In these cases, treatment of the sleep disorder can help stabilize sleep and change sleep-related thoughts, behavior patterns, and habits. 

What do studies show about the use of somnio in insomnia and depression?
In a randomized controlled trial conducted by us with 140 participants who suffered from both chronic insomnia and depressive symptoms, somnio was used in addition to the usual treatment (“Care as Usual,” e.g. medical or psychotherapeutic care). Significant improvements in depressive symptoms were already seen after three months, and these remained stable after six months. Around 30 % of somnio users reported a clinically relevant reduction in their depressive symptoms [Reference].

Is somnio suitable for me?
The results of this study show that somnio is not only effective for sleep disorders, but can also achieve positive effects in comorbid depressive symptoms. Whether somnio is suitable for you should ideally be decided together with a health care professional or psychotherapist – especially if depressive symptoms are pronounced or are already being treated. In many cases, a combination of professional support and targeted treatment of insomnia can be useful.

When should you seek additional help?
If you feel very down, hopeless, or emotionally heavily burdened over a longer period of time, or if your mood worsens significantly, you should seek professional help. In acute crises or with suicidal thoughts, it is important to get support immediately. You can find more information and points of contact in our article "Who can you contact in an emergency?".

Any questions?
If you have questions about the somnio app – both regarding content and technical issues – you can contact our support team at any time. You can reach us by email at support@somn.io or directly via the support feature in the app. We respond within 24 hours, seven days a week. You can reach us by phone Monday to Friday between 10:00 and 14:00 on 0341 978 528 48, excluding public holidays.