restless legs syndrome

! " # $ % &

foundation blog
ABOUT ME
AWARENESS DEPRESSION RESTLESS LEGS SYNDROME SUPPORT TREATMENT

DEPRESSION AND RLS Restless Legs Syndrome Foundat

View my complete profile

Home

RLSF LINKS

!"#$%&'(%)**+%$'%,-'. RLS Foundation Website

Depressive disorders are common in adults living with restless legs syndrome (RLS). In fact, the likelihood of developing Discussion Board

depression with RLS is increased by 2-4 times when compared to other adults. While it is unclear exactly why this is, sleep Support Groups
disturbances and sleep deprivation are likely a contributing factor.
Upcoming Events
Indicators of depression include a low mood, diminished interests, feelings of worthlessness, weight gain or loss, fatigue or loss
Facebook
of energy, diminished concentration, insomnia or excessive sleepiness, mental/physical sluggishness or agitation, or thoughts of
death. Many with RLS can feel totally alone in their struggle, especially during sleepless nights. If you are experiencing Twitter

depression, you are not alone. There is help available.

Instagram

The first step is to talk to your doctor about how you are
feeling. (See our RLS Healthcare Provider Directory or
Quality Care Center Network.) Fifty-eight percent of older
adults think that "feeling blue" is a normal part of aging,
POPULAR POSTS
but in fact it is not. These older adults often go untreated
because they do not tell their healthcare providers about
their symptoms, which can be triggered by chronic Depression and RLS
illnesses like RLS. It's important to assess the severity of October 27, 2018
the depression-related symptoms, and to consider and Treatment
MD This is an excerpt f
whether poor sleep might be a significant factor. Treating
fall 2018 edition of NightWalkers,
the RLS before treating the depression can be beneficial,
especially when depression-related symptoms are mild.
Triggers That May Wo
However, patients with moderate to severe depression
October 4, 2018
may need a different approach, which may include
Triggers A trigger is a s
antidepressant medication. that causes a worsenin
RLS. Certain foods, beverages, medic
:
 It's important to note here that all antidepressants can worsen RLS symptoms. However, some RLS-safe alternatives include
Eating with RLS
Desipramine (possibly), Nefazodone (may cause liver failure)*, Trazodone and Wellbutrin. Talk to your doctor about medication
April 23, 2020
options to see what is best for you. Want to bring some RLS publications to your appointment? Email us and we will get you Difference
what you need. significant effect on th
symptoms of many chronic condition
In 2016, the RLS Foundation produced a webinar on RLS and depression featuring John Winkelman, MD, PhD, of RLS is no ex...
Massachusetts General Hospital, a certified RLS Quality Care Center. Learn about the signs of depression, management
strategies, and when to seek a professional opinion in this free webinar recording below. Medical Marijuana and
Medical Marijuana and
Jacquelyn Bainbridge,
Webinar 2016: Depression and RLS and Mark Buchfuhrer,
FRCP(C), FCCP, FAASM
recreational u...

Complementary Corne
Magnesium
Managing Your Magne
Norma G. Cuellar, PhD
FAAN This is an excerpt from the spr
edition of NightWalkers,

Magnesium and RLS

June 14, 2021
RLS By Maddie Lionbe
Foundation Research
Coordinator Magnesium is a natural
occurring miner...

While dealing with a chronic illness like RLS can sometimes seem fruitless, there are helpful and effective strategies for staying
ahead of your depression. Talking about how you are feeling can be therapeutic and emotionally healing. RLS support groups
are a safe environment that bring people together to share their experiences, coping strategies, and to build a community of
SU BSCR I BE TO
care on which RLS patients and their families can depend. If there is not a support group in your area, all RLS Foundation
volunteer support group leaders and remote contacts available via phone or email to provide support. Additionally, the
Foundation's Discussion Board serves as a virtual support group, and is available 24/7 for those sleepless nights. Posts

You have a treatable medical illness. There are resources available to you in every community including doctors, community Comments

agencies, clergy, and counseling centers. You are not alone.

If you are experiencing thoughts of suicide or self harm, call 911 immediately or visit your nearest emergency room.

*Note: The brand Serzone (nefazodone) has been discontinued but generic versions are still available. However, physicians S E A RC H T H I S B LO G

must fully aware of side effects before prescribing.

---

The Restless Legs Syndrome Foundation is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) agency that is dedicated to improving the lives of men, women, and
children who live with this often-devastating disease. Founded in 1992, the Foundation’s goals are to increase awareness, improve
treatments and through research, find a cure for RLS. The Foundation serves healthcare providers, researchers, 5,000 members and an
estimated seven million individuals in the United States who have RLS. The Foundation has funded more than $1.6 million in RLS
research.

B LO G A RC H I V E
Become a Foundation member today for only $35/year to access over 40 publications on RLS, as well as webinar recordings and
NightWalkers archives. If you are in a difficult financial situation, we also have scholarship memberships available upon request.
► 2021 (15)

► 2020 (28)
! " # '

► 2019 (27)

▼ 2018 (40)
:
 ► December (2)
*#$%(#$$&(#!$&$178*).#&>)"780%-)7
► November (1)
The Restless Legs Syndrome Foundation is the leading organization for science-based
education and patient services for people suffering from restless legs syndrome (RLS). It is ► October (5)
also the only organization with a dedicated research grant program to advance promising
► September (2)
research leading to new treatments and a cure. Our goals are simple: increase awareness of
RLS, improve treatments, and, through research, find a cure. ► August (1)

► July (4)

► June (4)

► April (5)
!"#$%&'()$*+,"$+&-.
► March (6)

► February (3)

▼ January (7)
Spotlight: Kathy Richards, PhD
FAAN

Depression and RLS

Spotlight: Linda Tuomaala and

Nolan
!"#$%&'()!!#*+&,-. *($&5&6"-7-7# *($&090*#7#$$&801 !"#$%&'()!!#*+&,-.
/#0(#12&30*%&4 "380%# 4:;<&%/07=&1)" /#0(#1 2017: A Year in Review

New Guidelines for Safe Use o

for RLS

Sleeping with Technology

/$0"%%.1),

Spotlight: Andrew Tershak

► 2017 (49)

► 2016 (22)
( !"#"$%&'()( '*+"$%&'()( )

► 2015 (8)

► 2014 (27)

► 2013 (41)

T O P R AT E D

Review This Charity on

GreatNonprofits
96 reviews.
Average rating:

Read reviews about

Restless Legs Syndrome
Foundation Inc

T R A N S L AT E
:
 SELECT LANGUAGE

Powered by Translate

LABELS

Restless Legs Syndrom

research advocacy
Awareness rls awareness
Restless Legs Syndrome Foundatio
Care Centers volunteer
medicine sleep sleep disorders
Fundraiser Take Action
support groups Augmentation
membership RLS treatment
habits Contests Meetings
rls foundation discussion board
webinar Centers for Disease Control and
Mayo Clinic National Sleep Foundation

Society Society of Neuroscience

children circadian rhythm doctors

member migraine migraines

nonprofit pain periodic limb movement

apnea sleep cycle sleep deprivation

video you are not alone

?@ABCAD&'E&$F@B&%AGHIBCAJ&K&8LJC@LMNCAD&'E&!FFEBBML&%AGHIBCAJ
: