Sleep is often significantly disturbed as a result of various mental health conditions including anorexia nervosa (the body requires around 1,200 calories a day to sleep properly), anxiety and depression (lack of serotonin wreaks havoc with one's sleeping patterns).
The ability to get a good night's rest at the end of a busy day is something many take for granted but for those already battling chronic mental or physical illness it can worsen existing symptoms and result in significant fatigue impacting upon almost all aspects of a person's life. Common sleeping problems may include:
- Reversed sleep pattern
- Non-restorative sleep
- Nightmares
Coping With a Reversed Sleep Pattern
Although a reversed pattern is not necessary for one to be diagnosed with depression it is often found to affect sufferers and involves the individual sleeping very poorly at night and subsequently cat-napping during the daytime.
Unfortunately, one's sleep requirement is over a twenty-four hour period therefore if one sleeps a few hours during the afternoon this will likely result in a similar amount being reduced from the following night's sleep requirement.
Coping strategies for managing a reversed sleep pattern include:
- Relaxation techniques;
- Reducing caffeine intake (especially in the evening);
- Ensure that one has an empty bladder prior to going to bed; and
- Avoid daytime sleeping.
The last strategy is considered to be one of the most important, as staying awake throughout the day to avoid getting stuck in a vicious cycle of not sleeping at night and sleeping a few hours each day.
Coping with Non-Restorative Sleep
Non-restorative sleep again may affect sufferers of depression as well as other forms of chronic mental and physical illness. This sleep problem makes the sufferer feel as if they have not slept despite having sleep through the night.
In non-restorative sleep those affected may benefit from using sleeping tablets prior to going to sleep in addition to relaxation techniques such as progressive muscle relaxation. Writing down before going to sleep any worries or concern may also help as it can provide a cathartic release.
Coping with Nightmares
Unlike in the case of non-restorative sleep and reversed sleep pattern, nightmares tend to affect sufferers of anxiety related conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder. Nightmares tend to affect individuals with PTSD and anxiety more often than those uffering with depression. Nightmares may result in one suffering distressing symptoms including palpitations and feeling like one is unable to breathe (hyperventilating).
In this case, medication including tranquilizers, atypical antipsychotics as well as night-time antidepressants may be of significant benefit to sufferers. In addition talking about recurring nightmares with a psychotherapist may also be helpful.
As is clear from the examples of sleeping patterns listed above there is a definite link between mental health conditions and poor sleeping patterns. If one is regularly struggling to get a good night's sleep it would be worth making an appointment for a check-up with a medical doctor.
Source:
Lurie, M. (2007) Milton Keynes: Dorling Kindersley.
Kate Le Page - Kate Henning-Le Page writes about eating disorders, body image and recovery issues. She specializes in anorexia recovery.
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