The Connection Between Great Sleep and Improved Mental Health

Changes in your sleep patterns can cause several mental health conditions. The opposite is also true. Changes in your mental health can lead to sleep problems.

Insomnia and Depression

Medical professionals define insomnia as problems getting to sleep or staying asleep. Studies show that people with insomnia are twice as likely to suffer from depression than the general population. Furthermore, people diagnosed with depression are more likely to be diagnosed with insomnia as it seems to be a vicious cycle. Treatment by a psychiatrist can be a great solution because they are a trained medical professional with additional training in emotional health.

Schizophrenia and Sleep Disorders

Studies show that up to 80% of people with schizophrenia also have disturbances in their sleep patterns. These problems include taking longer to fall asleep, waking up frequently, not getting enough sleep, and disrupting circadian rhythm patterns.

Bipolar and Sleep Disorders

Approximately 85% of people diagnosed with bipolar have sleeping disorders. Increased trouble sleeping can signify that a person is about to experience a manic episode. Sleep issues may be present in all phases of bipolar disease, with many individuals experiencing some sleep disorder almost daily.

PTSD and Sleep Disorders

Research shows that if you have trouble sleeping ahead of a traumatic event, you are more likely to experience PTSD after the event. Almost 90% of people diagnosed with PTSD experience insomnia. They also experience increased incidences of nightmares and night terrors. Researchers are not sure why, but they know these individuals also experience more obstructive sleep apnea.

Solutions

Many types of solutions may help you get a better night’s sleep and improve your mental health. Making simple changes, like creating a bedtime routine and only using the bedroom for sleeping, is enough to help some people. Others may need to go on medicine for a short period or the rest of their lives. There are also technological strategies that people can use, such as white noise and tracking sleep patterns, that can help.

Our staff are experts at solving sleep dilemmas so that people can get a great night’s sleep. Reach out to us today and put yourself on the path to better mental health by ensuring you get a great night’s sleep.