Trouble sleeping is common when someone is depressed. Research increasingly suggests it needs treating at the same time as the depression itself, not left until afterwards. The standard treatment for insomnia is a specific form of cognitive behavioural therapy, but many people struggle to access it because trained therapists are scarce and sessions take time few can spare. Delivering the therapy digitally is one way to close that gap.
A 2024 review combined seven studies covering 1,864 participants who had both depression and insomnia. Digital cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia led to significant improvements in sleep. It also reduced depressive symptoms, compared with people who didn't receive it. The benefit was linked to how long the treatment ran and how severe the insomnia was beforehand. Programs with some therapist involvement kept more people engaged than fully self-guided versions did.
For anyone managing depression alongside poor sleep, this points to a practical option that doesn't require months on a waiting list. Insomnia is not something to simply push through while working on mood separately. If sleep or depression are wearing you down, support is available and worth seeking out.