Table of contents:
- What is insomnia?
- Mental problems that cause insomnia symptoms
- 1. Depression
- 2. Anxiety disorders
- 3. Panic attacks
- 4. Bipolar disorder
- If the symptoms of insomnia continue to occur, what are the consequences?
- How to improve sleep if you have mental problems
Having trouble sleeping well makes the body tired the next day. You become sleepy and cannot concentrate properly when you are on the move. Although common, the symptoms of insomnia tend to strike people with mental disorders more often. What are some mental illnesses that cause you to have trouble sleeping? Come on, see the following reviews.
What is insomnia?
Insomnia is a sleep disorder characterized by difficulty starting to sleep, waking up frequently at night and finding it difficult to go back to sleep, and waking up earlier than usual and having difficulty sleeping again after waking up.
Insomnia is not only a disease, but also a symptom of a disease. How can? If this sleep disorder occurs without being followed by other health problems, insomnia is referred to as primary insomnia or disease. Usually this occurs due to the use of alcohol or the side effects of certain drugs.
Meanwhile, if insomnia arises due to certain medical conditions, insomnia is referred to as secondary insomnia. Generally, these symptoms of insomnia occur in people with asthma, arthritis, or mental problems.
Mental problems that cause insomnia symptoms
There are several mental problems that cause insomnia symptoms, including:
1. Depression
About three-quarters of depressed patients have symptoms of insomnia. These symptoms have a profound impact on quality of life and can encourage patients to commit suicide attempts.
Depression is a nuisance mood which causes a person to feel sad, hopeless, helpless, and worthless. All of these negative emotions occupy your mind, making it difficult for you to sleep.
2. Anxiety disorders
Nearly 90% of adults with an anxiety disorder report experiencing moderate to severe symptoms of insomnia. People with anxiety disorders tend to be more anxious, overexpressive, and have trouble coping.
Even though the body is already tired, the constant fear, alertness, and worry make it difficult for a person to try to sleep well.
3. Panic attacks
Panic attacks cause a fast heartbeat, trembling, dizziness, excessive sweating, and shortness of breath. The majority of patients with this disorder have experienced nocturnal panic attacks, which are panic attacks that occur during sleep.
Nocturnal panic attacks can develop symptoms of insomnia as the patient is afraid and tries to avoid sleeping.
4. Bipolar disorder
Bipolar disorder causes a person to experience changes mood extremes, from depression (stress) to mania (uncontrolled active activity). A study shows that during both depressive and manic episodes, nearly all patients experience symptoms of insomnia.
Just like depression in general, bipolar patients who are experiencing this episode also cannot sleep well. Meanwhile, during a manic episode, it may make them forget about feeling tired so they can't start sleeping.
If the symptoms of insomnia continue to occur, what are the consequences?
Sleep is a time for the body to rest. If you don't get enough sleep, you can become sleepy, tired, and irritable. Especially in people with mental problems. Insomnia disorder that does not improve, will reduce the patient's quality of life.
People with depression, for example. Those who tend not to eat well, of course, their immune system will decrease. Various infections from viruses, fungi, or bacteria are more susceptible to occur. Other symptoms of depression are getting worse.
How to improve sleep if you have mental problems
The key to overcoming the symptoms of insomnia related to mental problems is to treat mental problems that you have. If not, the quality of sleep may not improve optimally or will relapse easily.
Now, to overcome mental problems, you will usually follow drug therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), inhalation therapy with visualization, and other therapies recommended by doctors.
In addition, there are additional ways that you can apply to improve sleep quality, namely scheduling bedtime and waking hours. If you usually go to sleep at 1 p.m., then try to go to bed earlier, that is, reduce the previous hour. Do it gradually over a few weeks so that you get used to it.
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