A good night’s sleep can make a noticeable difference in how we feel, think, and function during the day. But for people living with major depressive disorder, getting enough restful sleep can be difficult. Trouble falling asleep, waking throughout the night, or waking too early can all occur alongside depression.
The relationship between depression and sleep can also go both ways. Depression can contribute to poor sleep, while ongoing sleep problems can make it harder to manage depression symptoms. This can leave patients feeling stuck in a cycle of low mood, fatigue, and sleepless nights.
For some people with major depressive disorder, Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, or TMS, may be part of a treatment plan that helps break that cycle.
It is important to understand that TMS is not FDA-approved specifically as a treatment for insomnia. Rather, TMS is used to treat certain psychiatric conditions, including major depressive disorder. When sleep problems occur as part of depression, improvements in depression symptoms may also be accompanied by improvements in sleep.
Why Depression Can Affect Sleep
Sleep problems are common among people experiencing depression. Some people may struggle to fall asleep because their minds feel active or they are dealing with persistent sadness, worry, or negative thoughts. Others may fall asleep but wake frequently during the night or wake much earlier than they would like.
Research continues to show a close relationship between sleep and depression. In fact, insomnia can remain even after other symptoms of depression have improved, making it important to talk with a mental health professional about ongoing sleep concerns rather than assuming they will automatically disappear.
Where TMS Fits Into Depression Treatment
TMS is a noninvasive treatment that uses magnetic pulses to stimulate specific areas of the brain associated with depression. It is an FDA approved treatment modality for major depression in both adults and teens. At Goolsby & Associates, we offer TMS as a treatment option for major depression and other mental health concerns. For those with enduring insomnia related to their depression, TMS may be a game changer. When a patient has major depressive disorder and insomnia is one of the symptoms they are experiencing, treating the underlying depression may help improve their overall sleep.
This distinction is important. The goal of TMS treatment is to address the diagnosed condition for which TMS is appropriate. Any improvement in sleep is considered in the context of the patient’s overall response to depression treatment.
Can TMS Help With Sleep Problems?
Research suggests that it can for some people with depression.
A 2022 research study fspecifically examined people with major depressive disorder who received a six-week course of TMS. Researchers found that both depressive symptoms and sleep quality improved following treatment.
More recent research has continued to examine this relationship. A 2025 systematic review of studies involving people with depression found that repetitive TMS was associated with improvements in sleep quality as well as reductions in depressive symptoms.
These findings are encouraging, but they do not mean TMS will cure insomnia or that everyone receiving TMS will sleep better. Every patient responds differently, and sleep problems can have many causes.
Simple Sleep Improvement Tips During Depression Treatment
If you are experiencing depression and poor sleep, there are several practical habits, often referred to as sleep hygiene, that may support better sleep while you work with your healthcare provider on your overall treatment plan.
Start by keeping a consistent sleep schedule. Try to go to bed and wake up at approximately the same time every day, including weekends. A regular schedule helps reinforce your body’s natural sleep-wake rhythm.
Create a relaxing bedtime routine. Reading, listening to calming music, taking a warm shower, or practicing relaxation exercises may help signal that it is time to wind down.
Pay attention to caffeine. Coffee, energy drinks, tea, and other caffeinated beverages can interfere with sleep, particularly when consumed later in the day. If you are having trouble sleeping, consider limiting caffeine after lunch.
Make your bedroom comfortable for sleep. A dark, quiet, and comfortably cool environment can make it easier to rest and consider keeping electronic devices away from the bed.
Try to get regular daytime activity. Exercise can support both physical and mental health and may help promote better sleep. However, exercising immediately before bedtime may be stimulating for some people, so pay attention to how your body responds.
Finally, do not ignore persistent insomnia. If you regularly have difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or feeling rested despite getting enough opportunity to sleep, talk with your healthcare provider. There may be additional treatment options specifically designed for insomnia. Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia, known as CBT-I, is one evidence-based approach that has been studied in people who have both insomnia and major depressive disorder.
Treating the Whole Picture
When depression and insomnia occur together, it can be tempting to focus only on getting more sleep. But it is important to understand what may be contributing to the problem.
This is why an individualized approach matters. A mental health professional can look at the full picture, including mood symptoms, sleep patterns, medications, lifestyle factors, and other health concerns, before recommending an appropriate treatment plan.
At Goolsby & Associates, we aim to provide compassionate, individualized mental health care and help patients understand their treatment options. For patients with major depressive disorder who have not found adequate relief from other treatments, TMS may be an option worth discussing with a qualified provider.
Better Sleep Can Be Part of the Bigger Picture
Poor sleep can make everyday life harder, particularly when it occurs alongside depression. While TMS is not an FDA-approved treatment for insomnia itself, research suggests that sleep quality may improve for some people receiving TMS for major depressive disorder.
If depression, fatigue, and sleepless nights have become a regular part of your life, you do not have to simply accept them as something you have to live with. For individuals in Gainesville and the surrounding Georgia communities, Goolsby & Associates provides mental health care and TMS treatment for patients seeking options for managing major depression. A consultation can help determine whether TMS is appropriate for your needs.