Yer darn tootin'they do.

That's part of the reason my doc gave me Serzone for my insomnia.

Insomnia is not only a symptom of depression, but a key to curing it.

The stress and strain of depression is exhausting both physically and mentally. Yet, the majority of people suffering from depression are insomniacs as well. While it has long been understood that sleep disturbances are a primary symptom of mood disorders, researchers are now beginning to recognize insomnia and depression as two distinct disorders interacting with one another. And when the two co-exist, addressing the insomnia may be a big help in accelerating the treatment of depression.

'For years we've known that that sleep problems are part and parcel of depression,' explains Dr. Kumar Budur, who specializes in sleep disorders and psychiatry at Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, Ohio. 'In fact, one of the criteria for diagnosing depression is sleep disturbance.

But more recently we have seen that patients who have insomnia go on to develop depression. Moreover, we’ve seen that when patients are treated for depression and insomnia simultaneously, the patient tends to get better faster - and they tend to stay better for a longer time.'

Dr. Budur cites the findings of a June 2006 study at Massachusetts General Hospital that explored dual treatment with antidepressants and hypnotics, or sleep aids. The subjects, who all suffered from insomnia and depression, were divided into two groups: One group was given antidepressants only, while the other received both antidepressants and hypnotics. The group receiving both drugs showed significantly more improvement to both conditions, and at a much faster rate.

The interplay of these disorders is just beginning to be understood. One unproven theory revolves around the role of serotonin, one of the brain's messenger chemicals, which seems to have an influence on mood disorders and sleep alike.

Psychologists have long suggested that we work out problems in our dreams; without the opportunity to imagine and hope in our sleep, perhaps it's more difficult to resolve troubles in the waking world.

What we do know is that depression can lead to insomnia and vice versa. A careful analysis of symptoms has revealed the effectiveness of treating the two simultaneously. Dr. Burdur explains, 'When we treat patients for depression, the least resistant symptoms, most of the time, are loss of energy, loss of concentration and mood. These symptoms respond to antidepressants.