SLEEP TRACKERS COULD SPOT DEPRESSION

Canadian researchers looked at data from 93 adults who’d previously had severe depression and wore a fitness watch that collected sleep and activity data. They found that increasingly irregular sleep patterns, particularly less contrast between daytime activity and nighttime rest, nearly doubled the risk of relapse. Lead author Dr Benicio Frey, professor of psychiatry at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, explained: “Sleep disturbance functions both as a symptom of an acute depressive episode and as an early warning signal of future relapse.”

People whose sleep-wake cycles became erratic were more likely to relapse, while those with stable routines stayed in remission. This suggests that monitoring sleep could provide a crucial window for action, such as adjusting routines or seeking medical advice.