Do You Have Trouble Sleeping?: A Psychologist’s Guide To Understanding Sleep Disorders (Image: AI Generated on Pixabay)
Many of us must have experienced difficulty sleeping at various points. Sometimes, despite forcing ourselves to relax and rest, we find ourselves tossing and turning at night desperately trying to fall asleep. Even if we use many tried-and-tested methods, we may wake up feeling disoriented after a nighttime sleep.
While more often than not we can switch back to sleeping better, there are times when we face prolonged sleep deprivation. This could mean there might be serious underlying issues like sleep disorders. It is necessary to be aware of them to recognise the symptoms if you are facing obstacles to a better sleep.
First of all, what are sleep disorders? Sleep disorders can be understood as the condition of regular disturbances in your sleep. It can cause drastic changes to the way you sleep and lead to poor sleep quality. It also sometimes accompanies other mental health issues like depression or anxiety. Though there are many types of sleep disorders, let us quickly go over some of the most common ones:
1. Insomnia:
Insomnia is a relatively known sleep disorder and affects a large portion of the population in India, next to Japan. Insomnia occurs when you try to fall asleep and are unable to do so. Even when you fall asleep, you could find it difficult to stay asleep and end up feeling fatigued during the day. This can risk your mental and physical health, if left untreated.
2. Sleep Apnea:
This is a sleep disorder in which your breathing momentarily stops, followed by a choking or snorting sound that resumes sleep. As this causes loud snoring and disrupts sleep, it can lead to feelings of exhaustion despite a good night”s rest.
3. Narcolepsy:
While most of us enjoy a good afternoon nap, some people are affected with sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is a rare disorder which hinders the brain”s ability to control sleep-wake cycles during the day, causing excessive daytime drowsiness. Despite having enough amount of sleep at night, one can unexpectedly encounter these attacks of sleep during the day. This can be a potentially serious problems, especially if these bouts of sleep occur when doing something important like driving or cooking.
So now that we know some sleep disorders, let us see why do people get these sleep disorders. There are can be various reasons ranging from excessive stress and genetic issues to underlying health conditions. These issues can however be managed by using behaviourial strategies like creating a proper sleep routine, following a proper diet, exercising regularly, avoiding intake of caffeine and restricting the use of electronic devices before bedtime. These habits can reinforce your brain towards a better sleep.
Unlocking the Secrets of Better Sleep: A Psychologist’s Guide to Better Sleep Hygiene
Keep in mind that if you face any persistent issues, it is important avoid a self-diagnosis and instead talk to your doctor or a sleep specialist. Their professional intervention can help you systematically address these issues while identifying any underlying causes. It goes without saying that you need to take good care of sleep patterns as it is essential for your overall well-being. By being aware of your body and mind, you can get one step closer to feeling at peace and energised for a new day (and night)!
(Henna Ayoob is a highly regarded Consultant Psychologist and entrepreneur in Calicut, Kerala, specialises in psychological well-being. With a focus on sleep science, she is known for her expertise in guiding individuals toward optimal mental health. Henna is committed to fostering a healthier and more balanced lifestyle for her clients.)
