Dr. Alan Manevitz is interviewed by Dr. Max Gomez on the recent study of successfully treating depression and insomnia at the same time, doubling success rates.

“They [researchers] started treating the insomnia right at the same time they started treating the depression and by treating both simultaneously they doubled the remission rate,” explained Dr. Alan Manevitz, Lenox Hill Hospital.

Dr. Max Gomez: Helping Depressed Patients Get Some Sleep

Development Could Make A Huge Difference For Many Depression Sufferers

NEW YORK(CBSNewYork) — A major development that could make a difference for many people fighting depression is completely drug free.

Insomnia is an extremely common problem associated with depression. It affects more than half of the 18-million depressed patients in the country, CBS 2′s Dr. Max Gomez reported, and it looks like treating insomnia could make a huge difference in fighting depression.

“I have been suffering from depression for quite some time and it’s almost impossible to sleep,” Michelle said.

Michelle said that she would go for days or weeks without sleeping if she didn’t take her sleep medication and it made her depression worse.

“It can make you not focused and irritable. It can make you feel not part of the community of the world. It can make you feel like an alien,” she said.

It is unclear whether insomnia is a symptom or a cause of depression but a number of studies are looking at whether treating insomnia with special talk therapy can make a difference in depression.

Click Here to Read the Article and View Dr. Manevitz’ Video Comments