"Insomnia is the most common 'residual' symptom in non-remitted depression," Dr. Drake said, so there may be some independence between insomnia and depression. But, residual symptoms such as insomnia predict time to relapse or recurrence of depression among responders.

Poor sleep quality is also predictive of suicidal behavior.

However, most insomniacs do not seek treatment for the condition. In a study by the Gallup Organization, only 6% of individuals with insomnia had seen a physician with sleep problems as the primary reason for consultation while 24% had insomnia as a secondary reason for consultation.

Sleep aids do appear to work for patients with major depression, though. A 1999 study of zolpidem (Ambien) found it improved time to sleep onset and waking after sleep onset among patients with stable SSRI-treated depression.

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