Sleep Disorder

What are Sleep Disorders? 

Sleep disorders are conditions that impair a person’s quality and timing of sleep. As a result of poor sleep, people with these disorders experience distress and impaired functioning when they are awake. Sleep is essential for overall well-being, serving as a vital component in maintaining cognitive function, emotional stability, and overall mental health. When sleep is disrupted or inadequate due to a sleep disorder, it can have profound effects on an individual’s mental and emotional state. While everyone can have a restless night sometimes, sleep disorders signify a pattern of sleep issues that require intervention.

Insufficient or poor-quality sleep can contribute to the development and exacerbation of mental health disorders. Chronic sleep deprivation has been linked to an increased risk of conditions such as Anxiety, Depression, and Mood Disorders. The interplay between sleep and mental health is bidirectional. Mental health issues can contribute to sleep disturbances, i.e. someone with an Anxiety disorder may have trouble falling asleep, at the same time, sleep problems can also worsen existing mental health conditions.

Sleep disorders may not be classified as mental health disorders per se, but they are closely intertwined. Disruptions in sleep patterns can lead to cognitive impairments, difficulty concentrating, irritability, and emotional instability. Moreover, the chronic nature of some sleep disorders can contribute to a vicious cycle, further compromising mental well-being.

Recognizing the importance of addressing sleep in the context of mental health is crucial for comprehensive healthcare. Treating sleep disorders can be a vital aspect of managing and improving mental health outcomes, emphasizing the need for a holistic approach to well-being that encompasses both sleep and mental health considerations.

Sleep disorders are exceedingly common. Some experts estimate that as many as 70 million adults in the United States live with a sleep disorder. The most common sleeping disorder is insomnia.

Signs of a Sleep Disorder

How can you tell if you have a sleep disorder? Ask yourself a few questions. If your answer is yes to any of the following questions and these symptoms occur on a regular basis, you may have a sleep disorder.

• Do I have persistent daytime sleepiness?
• Am I feeling irritable during the day?
• Am I having trouble concentrating?
• Are my reaction times slow?
• Is it difficult for me to stay awake during activities?
• Have I fallen asleep or felt very tired while driving?
• Am I using caffeine as a way to keep myself awake?
• Am I using alcohol as a self-medication tool to fall asleep?
• Am I having trouble falling asleep or staying asleep?

Adults ages 60 and older, women and people with depression are more prone to sleep disorders than any other demographic groups. Many older people have more fragile sleep and are easily disturbed by light, noise, pain and various medical conditions.

Adults who consistently fail to get seven to eight hours of sleep often have underlying health issues that can be exacerbated by an ongoing lack of sleep. Not getting enough sleep for a long period of time can cause health problems.

Types of Sleep Disorders

There are more than 80 sleep disorders that can lead to problems such as difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep, excessive sleepiness during the day, sleepwalking, sleep talking and other various abnormal behaviors. 

The most common types of sleep disorders that can be treated by mental health professionals include:

• Insomnia: 

This is the most common sleep disorder and involves difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking up too early and not being able to return to sleep. Insomnia is often associated with stress, anxiety, depression, and lifestyle habits. Mental health professionals can help through cognitive-behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I), which involves changing thoughts and behaviors that interfere with sleep.

• Sleep-Related Anxiety:

Anxiety about sleep or excessive worrying about the inability to sleep can exacerbate insomnia. Mental health professionals can help address the underlying anxiety through therapy and relaxation techniques.

• Hypersomnia:

Hypersomnia, a sleep disorder characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness, is marked by a range of symptoms affecting an individual’s wakefulness. People with hypersomnia often struggle to stay awake during the day, regardless of sufficient nighttime sleep.

• Parasomnias:

While some parasomnias (like sleepwalking and night terrors) may require medical interventions, others can be related to stress or trauma and can be addressed through psychological therapy.

• Rapid eye movement (REM):

Rapid eye movement (REM) behavior disorder is a type of parasomnia, which causes abnormal sleep behaviors. With REM behavior disorder, you physically act out dreams while in REM sleep. This can range from hand gestures to violent thrashing, kicking, or punching.

• Restless legs syndrome (RLS):

Although RLS often requires medical treatment, mental health professionals can provide support for the anxiety and insomnia that often accompany RLS.

• Narcolepsy:

While narcolepsy is a neurological condition often requiring medication, mental health professionals can help manage the psychological and social impacts of the disorder.

• Behavioral Insomnia in Children:

This involves poor sleep habits in children, and mental health professionals can work with families to establish healthy sleep practices.

Insomnia Symptoms and Causes

Insomnia manifests through various symptoms, delineating occasional and chronic patterns. Individuals with occasional insomnia may experience transient difficulty initiating sleep, sporadic nocturnal awakenings, or brief episodes of early morning awakenings. In contrast, chronic insomnia symptoms are characterized by persistent and enduring challenges, occurring for at least three nights a week over three months. Chronic sufferers often grapple with prolonged difficulty staying asleep, leading to a consistent reduction in sleep quantity and quality. Both occasional and chronic insomnia share common manifestations, including heightened irritability, daytime fatigue, impaired concentration, and memory lapses. However, the distinction lies in the regularity and duration of these symptoms, highlighting the disruptive and enduring nature of chronic insomnia on sleep patterns and overall daily functioning. Recognizing these differences is pivotal for tailoring effective interventions to address the specific challenges posed by each category of insomnia.

Insomnia has many possible causes. The reasons you're lying awake when you don't want to be are individual. They can include any or all of these:

• Medications that interfere with sleep
• Dietary choices, such as caffeine late in the day, that interfere with sleep
• Stressful thoughts
• Depression
• Recent upheavals in your life, such as a divorce or death of a loved one
• Hormone changes, such as those accompanying menopause
• Bedtime habits that don't lead to restful sleep
• Sleep disorders
• Chronic pain
• Medical conditions such as acid reflux, thyroid problems, stroke, or asthma
• Substances like alcohol and nicotine
• Travel, especially between time zones

Treatment methods for sleep disorders

There are several methods of treatment available for sleep disorders. These are recommended based on the specific type of sleep disorder and each individual situation. With proper treatment, sleep disorders can be vastly improved.

Medical Treatment

Medical treatment can be sought to treat sleep disorders. These may include:

• Cognitive behavioral therapy or relaxation techniques to reduce anxiety about getting enough sleep
• CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machine for sleep apnea
• Sleeping pills. Usually, providers recommend that you use sleeping pills for a short period of time.
• Natural products, such as melatonin. These products may help some people but are generally for short-term use. Make sure to check with your healthcare provider before you take any of them.
• Bright light therapy (in the morning)
• Stimulants or wake-promoting medication such as modafinil
• Anti-convulsants like gabapentin

Mindwell healthcare provider will advise you on which medical intervention will best treat the sleep disorder you have and any potential side effects.

Lifestyle Tips

Making simple lifestyle changes can also vastly improve a sleep disorder. This is known as improving sleep hygiene. Maintaining a healthy diet and exercising regularly alone will promote good sleep habits.

Other measures may include avoiding caffeine and alcohol especially close to bedtime, establishing a daily schedule of sleeping and waking at the same time, keeping stress at a minimum, and creating a healthy sleep environment.

Summary

Sleep plays an essential role in mental and physical well-being. Sleep disorders are medical conditions resulting in a variety of symptoms with a lack of quality sleep being the most prevalent. This lack can negatively affect your life and put you at a higher risk for health problems such as diabetes and heart disease.

Sleep deprivation can also affect your mood and cognitive function leading to a higher incidence of anxiety and depression among sufferers. Luckily there are methods of treatment to help with disordered sleeping. As getting enough sleep at the right time is vital for optimum health and safety, consult with your healthcare provider to determine the right course of treatment.