Circadian rhythm is defined as the biological clock in the brain that operates internal organs on a reoccurring 24-hour cycle (Myers, 2014). It is an advanced timing system relying on sunlight and darkness to control biochemical changes effectively to prepare the body to go to sleep (Laber-Warren, 2015). The suprachiasmatic nucleus, located in the hypothalamus, monitors the intensity of blue light waves and serves as the brain’s master clock (Myers, 2014). The master clock can be altered if it encounters bright lights at night including the digital screens of cellphones, TV sets, or laptops which have the same blue light waves as sunlight (Laber-Warren, 2015). This altercation sends messages to the brain thinking it’s the morning causing
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Myers (2014) defines major depressive disorder as a mood disorder that occurs when at least five signs of depression last two or more weeks. Some of the symptoms of depression include the following: depressed mood, loss of interest in activities, significant weight loss or gain, insomnia, fatigue (Myers, 2014). The brains of depressed people are also different than the brains of healthy brains (Laber-Warren, 2015). Laber-Warren (2015) includes facts from a study that explains how people with depression tend to have sleep problems and other signs of circadian misalignment. Circadian misalignment happens when the patterns of circadian rhythm are not working together properly causing the sleep cycle to be scrambled. The study also explains the gene activity in the brains of depressed people failed to follow healthy 24-hour cycles (Laber-Warren, 2015). Insomnia, non-24, narcolepsy have been associated with depression because of the sleep loss (Myers, 2014). Major depressive disorder increases if you have a parent or sibling with it (Myers, 2014). Because of this, researchers are also predicting if there is a difference in DNA in families that have sleep disorders and mental disorders. Other influences for depression could be certain cultures or household and in-addition could be causes for sleep loss too. Another influence could be psychological such as stress which can
Myers (2014) defines major depressive disorder as a mood disorder that occurs when at least five signs of depression last two or more weeks. Some of the symptoms of depression include the following: depressed mood, loss of interest in activities, significant weight loss or gain, insomnia, fatigue (Myers, 2014). The brains of depressed people are also different than the brains of healthy brains (Laber-Warren, 2015). Laber-Warren (2015) includes facts from a study that explains how people with depression tend to have sleep problems and other signs of circadian misalignment. Circadian misalignment happens when the patterns of circadian rhythm are not working together properly causing the sleep cycle to be scrambled. The study also explains the gene activity in the brains of depressed people failed to follow healthy 24-hour cycles (Laber-Warren, 2015). Insomnia, non-24, narcolepsy have been associated with depression because of the sleep loss (Myers, 2014). Major depressive disorder increases if you have a parent or sibling with it (Myers, 2014). Because of this, researchers are also predicting if there is a difference in DNA in families that have sleep disorders and mental disorders. Other influences for depression could be certain cultures or household and in-addition could be causes for sleep loss too. Another influence could be psychological such as stress which can