A good night’s rest is often overlooked and unconsidered until it starts to impact normal day to day functioning. Struggling to sleep can lead to an array of secondary impacts, as sleep is critically important for both our physical and mental recovery and functioning. Sleep deprivation can affect mood, increase anxiety, lead to depression, irritability, and impatience. It also impairs physical performance and memory and makes mistakes more likely to happen. There are a number of problems that fall under the sleep issues umbrella and can have varying effects on mental and physical health.
In cases where people experience insomnia, a common sleep disturbance, it is because they have developed an unhealthy pattern of behavior that interferes with their sleep cycle and sleeping habits. Often sleep issues can be linked to mental health issues such as anxiety, depression and chronic stress.
Insomnia
Insomnia is characterised by a difficulty falling or staying asleep. Stress, anxiety, sadness or depression can all cause insomnia, as can some forms of substance abuse. Due to the interconnectedness of such conditions, it is important to get to the root cause of the issue and try to build healthy sleep habits. Chronic insomnia is best managed using non-drug strategies such as cognitive behavioural therapy.
Sleep talking, sleep walking and other automatic behaviours
If you find yourself participating in activities that are usually undertaken in wakeful states, whilst asleep, you may be a sleep walker or talker. Although most prevalent in children, this can carry on into adulthood and cause embarrassment or unease for individuals as well their loved ones. There are also a range of complex behaviours that can arise, such as binge eating and exhibiting of sexual behaviours.
Nightmares and night terrors
Nightmares and night terrors happen when you have not fully woken from your sleep. Although much more common in children, they are found to occur in adults and can be linked to other mental health issues in some instances. If you feel anxious about going to bed due to nightmares, it can be helpful to seek help as poor sleep habits may exacerbate the issue.
Get Counselling That Helps You Move Forward
Armchair Psychology is an Eastern Suburbs psychology clinic located only 1 minute from Edgecliff train station. We’d love to help you move forward in building better sleep habits and getting to the root cause of the issue. So take your first step to more positive sleep outcomes and book an appointment today with Armchair Psychology or take a look at our team to find out more about which psychologist might suit you best.
