Insomnia or Something More?

Functioning at your best can be difficult if you aren’t getting enough sleep. When we are sleep deprived we can feel irritable, have difficulty concentrating, have a hard time making decisions and feel generally on edge. The result of sleeplessness can look a lot like depression, anxiety, ADHD or other mental health conditions. Difficulty sleeping can also be a symptom of many diagnoses. It can be difficult to know which came first. 

An Emotional Condition and Insomnia: Which Comes First?

“Either one,” says the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA). Dr. Charles L. Raison, Professor of Human Development and Family Studies and Psychiatry at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, concurs. In his speech during the Psych Congress Regional Meeting held in Chicago, he said, “Sleep difficulties can both cause and result from psychiatric disorders, and clinicians must be sure to treat the conditions simultaneously.”

This implies that a psychological disorder can come first, triggering sleeplessness. It can also be the other way around. Sleep deprivation can affect the brain center, so that its ability to process feelings and react to unpleasant experiences is dulled or slowed down. Research proves that insomnia is generally present in almost all emotional conditions. We know this to be true when it comes to depression, anxiety, PTSD, Bipolar Disorder etc.

Further evidence that the two are linked is apparent in the delayed recovery from emotional conditions in people experiencing severe sleeplessness. Sleep deprivation can cause them to be less responsive, uncooperative and/or less compliant with therapeutic interventions. The possibility of relapse or the recurrence of episodes is also higher when someone has problems sleeping.

The discovery of the link between insomnia and emotional conditions is relatively new. The relationship has been underrecognized and underestimated for so long, being viewed as a mere symptom of other conditions. So, it is the condition that receives attention or treatment, but not insomnia. Thus, many of those struggling don’t seek treatment or professional help. Experts are now recognizing that sleeplessness can be part of the multifaceted package of causes for mental health challenges.

Risks and Relevance of the Link

There are health risks involved when you are sleep deprived. These may extend way beyond fatigue and drowsiness. Lack of sleep can result in a drop in your academic performance or work habits, pose higher risks for accidents and injury, and more health issues. Your physical health can weaken as you become more vulnerable to medical conditions, such as heart disease, obesity, hypertension, diabetes, etc. Because insomnia is linked to your emotional health, you can also have a higher risk for mood disorders, anxiety and other related conditions.

The fact that sleep can play a role in emotional health underscores the value of treating sleep disorders. This link provides experts a fresh perspective in the treatment of emotional conditions. Understanding the relationship, sorting out and addressing sleep issues can be an important step in treating and resolving additional conditions. Similarly, because of the connection, treatment of psychological conditions can also be important in addressing the complicating insomnia.

If you have a genetic predisposition, you are likely to ask: can mental health conditions be prevented by treating insomnia? Research is invigorating its efforts by studying if the treatment of sleeplessness can also improve the outcomes for depression, anxiety, mood disorders, ADHD, etc. In fact, the results of a study undertaken in Australia suggest that treatment of sleeplessness can ease depressive symptoms. In another study using cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), the participants showed a decrease of depressive symptoms when compared to those who were not given any insomnia treatment.

Treatment for Insomnia

There are a variety of ways to treat insomnia, counseling has been shown to be among some of the most effective options. Therapy can help you to address what is causing your sleep difficulties regardless of whether they began first or are symptoms of something more. 

Meeting with a trained therapist can help to determine what is causing your sleepless nights and move forward to a better tomorrow. Carolina Counseling Services – Fayetteville, NC contracts with counselors who know how to treat insomnia. Call today to get started.

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