What are Sleep Disorders?

Sleep disorders, often known as sleep-wake disorders, are issues with the type, quantity, and timing of sleep that cause distress during the day and functional impairment. Sleep-wake difficulties frequently co-occur with physical ailments or other mental health issues, like anxiety, depression, or cognitive disorders. Sleep-wake disorders come in a variety of forms, with insomnia being the most prevalent. Obstructive sleep apnea, parasomnias, narcolepsy, and restless leg syndrome are among other sleep-wake disorders.

Physical and emotional issues are related to sleep problems. In addition to being a cause of or an aggravation of mental health issues, sleep issues can also be a sign of other mental health issues.

Adults report insomnia symptoms in about one-third of cases, and 6 to 10 percent actually have insomnia disorders.

Why is sleep important?

A fundamental human need, sleep is important for both physical and mental wellbeing. Two different forms of sleep often take place in a rhythm of three to five cycles per night:

• REM sleep, which is when most dreams take place
• Non-REM sleep contains three stages, the deepest of which is

Another crucial factor is when you sleep. Your body normally operates on a 24-hour cycle called a circadian rhythm, which aids in determining when to go to sleep.

The amount of sleep we require varies by age and between individuals. Most adults need seven to nine hours of good sleep each night, according to the National Sleep Foundation. In 2015, the Foundation updated its sleep guidelines after carefully reviewing the available research.

Many of us don’t sleep enough. Only around 30% of high school kids receive at least eight hours of sleep on a typical school night, while nearly 30% of adults sleep for less than six hours every night. 35 percent of people say they have “poor” or “just fair” sleep quality on average.

Consequences of Lack of Sleep

Your brain needs sleep to work correctly. Numerous negative effects may result from inadequate sleep or sleep of low quality. The main issues include tiredness, low energy, irritation, and difficulty concentration. Your emotions and decision-making capacity may both be impacted. Sleep issues frequently coincide with depressive or anxious symptoms. Sleep issues can make melancholy or anxiety can lead to sleep disorders.

Numerous chronic health issues, including diabetes and heart disease, are correlated with both inadequate and excessive sleep. Sleep difficulties can also be an indication of neurological and medical conditions such Parkinson’s disease, osteoarthritis, and congestive heart failure.

Insomnia

The most prevalent sleep disorder, insomnia, is characterized by difficulties becoming or remaining asleep. About one-third of adults have some symptoms of insomnia, 10-15% report issues with daytime functioning, and 6-10% have symptoms severe enough to qualify as having an insomnia disorder. About 40 to 50 percent of people who suffer from sleeplessness also have another mental illness.

Diagnosis and symptoms

A person must have severe distress or difficulty at work, school, or other significant areas of their daily functioning and have trouble falling or staying asleep at least three nights a week for at least three months in order to be diagnosed with insomnia disorder. Not everyone who experiences sleep difficulties is troubled or struggles to function.

A doctor will rule out other sleep problems (see Related Conditions below), pharmaceutical side effects, drug abuse, depression, and other physical and mental conditions before diagnosing insomnia. Medical illnesses and some drugs may have an impact on sleep.

A thorough evaluation for insomnia or other sleep issues could include a patient history, physical examination, sleep diary, and clinical testing (a sleep study). A sleep study enables the doctor to determine how long and how soundly you sleep as well as to discover any potential sleep disorders. A sleep diary is a record of your sleeping patterns for your doctor to review. When you go to bed, get up, get out of bed, take naps, exercise, eat, and drink alcohol and caffeinated beverages are just a few examples of the details it provides.

Although they can affect anyone at any age, sleep issues typically start in young adulthood. With age, sleeplessness typically takes on several forms. Young adults seem to have more difficulty falling asleep. Middle-aged and older people are more likely to have trouble sleeping than younger adults.

Among the signs of insomnia are: (with an episode of symptoms lasting one to three months)

• Resilient (with symptoms lasting three months or more)
• Repeated (with two or more episodes within a year)

Another cause of insomnia symptoms is a particular circumstance or event in life.

Self-care and treatment for sleep disorders

Regular sleeping habits can frequently help with sleep issues. For advice, see the section on sleep hygiene. You should seek evaluation and treatment from a doctor if your sleep issues persist or if they affect how you feel or behave during the day.

Regardless of any possible mental or other physical conditions, sleep disorders should be carefully addressed. Chronic insomnia is often treated with a mix of behavioral therapies including cognitive behavior therapy and sleep medicines. You can cure insomnia and utilize a variety of drugs to aid in getting to sleep and staying asleep. Most of these shouldn’t be used for long periods of time unless under a doctor’s supervision because they tend to be habit-forming. Insomnia can sometimes be treated with some medications.

Antihistamines, which are frequently used to treat allergies, are present in the majority of over-the-counter sleep aids. Although they are not addictive, they may lose some of their effectiveness over time. They should be taken cautiously in this demographic because they may also contribute to disorientation, impaired vision, urine retention, and falls in the elderly.

For aid with sleep issues, many people turn to complementary health practices. The National Institutes of Health state that while certain medications may be safe and helpful, other medications lack evidence to support their efficacy or present safety issues.

• Before going to bed, try these relaxation techniques to treat your insomnia.

Supplemental melatonin may be useful for those with specific types of insomnia. The safety over the long term has not been examined.

• Although there isn’t enough research to prove that mind-body practices like acupuncture, yoga, massage treatment, and mindfulness meditation are effective, it’s generally accepted that they’re safe.
• There is no evidence that dietary supplements or herbs can treat insomnia. Several substances, including L-tryptophan and kava, raise safety issues.

Any alternative medications or dietary supplements you are taking should be disclosed to your healthcare physician.

Here are few certified therapists who you can get in touch and book a therapy session with:

• Jennifer Campbel Kirk
• Wenna Chen
• Tommaso Palumbo