Mental illness might manifest through nightly routines or habits.
05:15 5 May
Kick That Insomnia to the Curb: Experts Unmask Its Tricks
Sleepless nights? You're not alone. Insomnia, or dyssomnia, is a common beast that can show up in various forms and have multiple culprits. But fear not, because unveiling its identities could be the secret to maintaining your mental health.
Take, for example, the cunning sorcerer called classic insomnia. Characterized by endless hours of wrestling with the sandman, this type often accompanies anxious-depressive disorder. Worrywart thoughts, an anxious outlook on the future, and perpetual tension may make slumber a distant dream. Or, it could present as a quick descent into dreamland, only to be rudely awakened a few hours later, still dragging a veil of fatigue and a depressed mood.
Enter the sinister shapeshifter insomnia: early-morning variety. Accompanied by gloom, sorrow, and melancholy, this insomnia refuses to let its host return to dreamland, warning of the presence of depression lurking beneath the surface.
Now, if the insomnia unholy alliance lasts for more than three weeks and is accompanied by marked daytime sleepiness, memory impairment, vivid dreams, and mood swings, it's time to sound the alarm and seek help from a professional. A psychiatrist or psychologist will investigate and select an appropriate treatment, which may include a potent cocktail of medication and psychological methods.
Remember, quality sleep is essential for your mental well-being. A healthy sleep regime consists of 6-8 hours of dreamland bliss, ending with a refreshed, alert, and energized morning person. REM sleep, a deep slumber with dreams, plays a pivotal role in processing information collected during the day.
During dreams, your subconscious mind gets busy, organizing, processing, and systematizing the information gathered throughout the day – like a behind-the-scenes powerhouse, strengthening your mental fortitude. Dynamic, colorful, and complex dreams reflect an active subconscious, while dull and monotonous dreams may indicate reduced activity – potentially leading to memory lapses, distractibility, and increased fatigue.
Neurologist Olga Berezkin explains that a diagnosis of "insomnia" is made when someone experiences sleep problems for at least three days a week. If it persists for more than three months or occurs more than three times a week, it's classified as chronic. Common symptoms include difficulties falling asleep, frequent nighttime awakenings, early morning awakenings, daytime sleepiness and fatigue, concentration problems, and pre-sleep anxiety.
It's crucial to tell insomnia apart from narcolepsy, another disruptive sleep disorder that looks like daytime sleepiness, sleep paralysis, sudden sleep attacks, and abrupt awakenings. Lifestyle imbalance and chronic stress are the usual culprits, but certain medications and health conditions, such as depression or hyperthyroidism, might also set the stage for this bedtime nemesis.
In short, insomnia is more than just an annoyance; it could be a warning sign of serious health issues, including mental disorders. Keeping a close eye on your sleep, seeking timely professional help, and adopting a holistic approach to treatment offer hope for overcoming the sleepless monster and reclaiming your quality of life.
Enrichment Data:
Common causes of chronic insomnia may stem from psychological, medical, lifestyle, or environmental factors. Psychological factors can include stress, anxiety, and depression, while medical conditions like chronic pain, neurological disorders, endocrine issues, respiratory disorders, and GI issues can also contribute. Lifestyle factors, such as irregular sleep schedules, substance use, and poor sleep environments, can also play a role. Medications like certain antidepressants, stimulants, and blood pressure medications can interfere with sleep or cause insomnia. Depression, anxiety disorders, Bipolar disorder, cognitive impairment, increased risk of substance abuse, and suicidal thoughts and behaviors are potential mental health issues associated with chronic insomnia.
- Mental health may be impacted by sleeping disorders such as insomnia. Unveiling the identities of insomnia could be the secret to maintaining mental health, especially when it comes to types like classic insomnia, which often accompanies anxious-depressive disorder.
- Neglecting chronic insomnia could lead to various health issues, including mental health problems like depression, anxiety disorders, and bipolar disorder. A holistic approach to treatment that involves professional help could offer hope for overcoming the sleepless monster and reclaiming your quality of life.
