Understanding the Link Between Sleep Inertia and Depression

Depression may be, but is not necessarily, associated with some cases of sleep inertia. Sleep inertia refers to a condition of grogginess and impaired cognitive functioning upon waking from sleep.

Cause

• "Behavioral and environmental factors," as well as the depth of sleep from which a person is awakened may be factors of sleep inertia, according to research published in 1999 in the "Journal of Sleep Research."

Time Frame

• Signs of sleep inertia may persist for a matter of minutes or hours after awakening, according to a study published in January 2006 in the "Journal of the American Medical Association."

Depression

• According to the website BipolarChild.com, depression may be a factor in sleep inertia.

Bipolar Disorder

• Children with bipolar disorder, a mental disorder that causes alternating periods of depression and mania, according to BipolarChild.com, may have abnormal sleeping patterns and may be prone to sleep inertia.

Considerations

• Any activity that increases blood flow to the brain and stimulates brain activity may help to diminish sleep inertia, according to the website ProactiveSleep.com.