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Hi there. Thanks for having this clinic.

I have depression and take 75ml of Venlafaxine daily. I have had CBT in the past and I'm now having Systemic Therapy.

I'm finding life very difficult at the moment. I work full time (10am-6pm) but I'm finding it difficult to get to work on time as it's a huge struggle to get out of bed. I find it difficult to fall asleep at night and I'm worried that it's linked to my medication. I've read research that shows that it can delay onset of REM sleep and decrease the time spent in REM sleep. However, my GP and mental health team don't want to listen to my concerns.

So I'm really struggling to get to work on time or get in at all as I am so exhausted and don't want to deal with the outside world.


I thought my depression was in remission but now I'm worried that it's going to come back in full force and destroy my life again.

Please help.

Hi, I would go back to your medical team and tell them your concerns, and also let your systemic therapist know.

As your therapist to have a look at any psych reasons as to why you can't sleep, like over-active self-talk and over-active imaginations - there are lots of ways that you can turn this off, or distract it. Even putting your tongue on the roof of your mouth, closing your eyes, and imagining every element of every breath in and out, noticing how you relax on every breath out, really focusing on breathing can help.

Keeping notice of your past depression, spotting the signs and taking action is definitely a good thing. Remember that you are responsible for yourself - so raise these concerns and get the assistance that you may, or may not need.

Hi,

You are quite right - Venlafaxine CAN cause sleep problems - it's listed as one of the possible side-effects.

I suggest that you go back to see your GP/mental health team and tell them how your lack of sleep is having a severe impact on your quality of life. If your GP/mental health team still won't listen, I suggest you see a different GP/specialist. It may be that you could try a different medication, that doesn't have this particular side effect.

In the meantime you can help yourself by eating well, taking plenty of outdoor exercise (lack of exercise and exposure to daylight are both linked to sleep problems), and treating yourself kindly.

Also, try to develop a nightly routine that allows you to relax for an hour or two before bedtime - so that you can 'put the day to bed'.

I hope you manage to get your sleep/medication problems resolved.

Best wishes,

Wendy