Sleep and mental health are intimately linked. It has connections to anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, and other illnesses. While research on the connections between sleep and mental health is ongoing, data to date suggests a bidirectional relationship.
Sleeping problems are often exacerbated by mental health issues. At the same time, inadequate sleep, especially insomnia, can contribute to the onset and exacerbation of mental health disorders.
Both sleep and mental health are complicated issues influenced by a variety of factors. There is grounds to think that improving sleep can have a positive impact on mental health. Sometimes can even be used to treat a variety of psychiatric disorders.
What Is the Connection Between Mental Health and Sleep?
During sleep, brain activity fluctuates, increasing and decreasing across the several sleep stages that comprise the sleep cycle.
Overall brain activity reduces during NREM (non-rapid eye movement) sleep, but there are brief bursts of energy. Because brain activity increases fast during REM sleep, this stage is connected with more intense dreaming.
Each stage contributes to brain health by allowing activity in various sections of the brain to ramp up or down. This allows for greater reasoning, learning, and memory. Furthermore, research has revealed that brain activity during sleep has a significant impact on emotional and mental health.
Adequate sleep, particularly REM sleep, aids the brain’s interpretation of emotional information. The brain works during sleep to analyze and store ideas and memories. But, lack of sleep is particularly detrimental to the consolidation of pleasant emotional content.
This can affect mood and emotional reaction. We can connect it to the severity of mental health conditions. It is also linked to the likelihood of suicidal thoughts or activities.
It is wrong to think that sleep issues is a sign of other mental health illness on the way.
Instead, it is becoming obvious that there is a bidirectional link between sleep and mental health, with sleeping issues being both a cause and a result of mental health issues.
Another element of sleep with mental health is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). This is a sleep condition caused by pauses in breathing and a decrease in the body’s oxygen levels. This leads to fragmented and disturbed sleep.
OSA is more common in those with psychiatric conditions, and it can harm their physical health and increase their risk of substantial mental anguish.
Way In Which Lack of Sleep Affect Your Mental Health
Depression
Depression is a form of mood disorder with feelings of sadness or hopelessness. It affects approximately 300 million individuals worldwide.
Around 75% of depressed persons have insomnia, and several people with depression also have excessive daytime drowsiness and hypersomnia, or sleeping too much.
Sleeping disorders is usually a result of depression. But, new data reveals that lack of sleep may cause or worsen depression.
The difficulty in determining a clear cause and effect reflects a bidirectional relationship in which sleep issues and depression symptoms reinforce each other.
Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety problems impact an estimated 20% of adults13 and 25% of teenagers in the United States each year.
These diseases cause excessive fear or worry, which can interfere with daily life and increase the risk of health problems such as heart disease and diabetes.
General anxiety disorder, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, specific phobias, post-traumatic stress disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder are all types of anxiety disorders (PTSD).
Sleep issues may become an additional cause of concern, causing anticipatory anxiety at bedtime, making it difficult to fall asleep.
Bipolar Disorder
One way to know bipolar disorder are episodes of significant mood swings. It can either be high (mania) or low (depression).
Depending on the sort of episode, a person’s sentiments and symptoms vary greatly. However, both manic and depressed episodes can have a significant impact on daily living.
Sleep patterns in patients with bipolar disorder vary greatly depending on their mental state. They normally experience less need to sleep during manic phases. Sleep problems frequently persist when a person is between episodes.
Sleep disorder has a huge impact on mental health. And, because of this intricate association, there are complex links between sleep and psychiatric problems.
However, it also implies that treatment for both conditions can coexist. You can remedy sleep disorder with mental health strategy
Ways to Improve Your Sleep and Mental Health
Individuals are the one’s that determine the extent of sleep disorder.
Because these disorders can have a significant influence on quality of life, it is critical to receive proper care. An excellent option is consulting with a competent health practitioner.
A psychologist can discuss the potential advantages and disadvantages of various treatments, including prescription drugs. They can provide personalized care, even in instances with several reoccurring mental health concerns.
For example, detecting and treating an underlying illness may have mental health benefits.
Improving Your Sleep Habit
Poor sleep hygiene is a frequent cause of sleeping disorders. Improve sleep hygiene by fostering sleep-friendly habits and a sleep-friendly bedroom environment. Doing that can go a long way toward preventing sleep interruptions.
Ways to improve your sleep habit:
- Maintaining a consistent sleep routine and having a predetermined bedtime.
- Finding ways to unwind, such as through relaxation techniques, as part of a regular pattern before going to bed.
- In the evening, avoid alcohol, smoke, and caffeine.
- Dimming lights and putting electronic gadgets away for an hour or more before going to bed.
- Get regular exercise and exposure to natural light during the day.
- Getting the most out of your mattress, pillows, and bedding.