Sleep problems used to be viewed only as symptoms of psychiatric disorders, but research has shown that they can actually contribute to mental illnesses. This research also indicates that treating the sleep problems have helped alleviate mental health problems.
Depression. Most patients with depression have insomnia, and some also suffer from obstructive sleep apnea. It can also work the other way in that people with sleep problems are more likely to develop depression. Additionally, depressed people who continue to experience problems with sleep are shown to be less likely to respond to treatment.
Anxiety disorder. Sleep problems are really common in those who suffer from anxiety disorders or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Anxiety may contribute to sleep loss in that many times people let their trouble interrupt their sleep at night. Additionally, insomniacs may also develop anxiety disorders. Insomnia may also make treatment for anxiety less effective.
ADHD. Children with ADHD experience many sleep problems, including difficulty falling asleep and restless sleep. Breathing problems like sleep apnea and restless leg syndrome can also affect children with ADHD. Children with ADHD are inattentive, hyperactive, and emotionally unstable and sleep disorders only worsen these symptoms.
Mania and Bipolar Disorder. Episodes of mania in bipolar patients can be triggered by lack of sleep. Research also shows that ongoing sleep problems can worsen episodes of mania or bipolar depression.
Source: Reite, Martin, Michael P. Weissberg, and John Ruddy. Clinical manual for the evaluation and treatment of sleep disorders. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Pub., 2009. Print.
That's very interesting how sleep disorders and other mental disorders can be so intertwined. Did you find any connection in your readings regarding schizophrenia and sleep loss?
ReplyDelete- Ms. Holtzman
Hello Ms. Holtzman. Initial reading of articles did not show that there was a connection between schizophrenia and sleep disorders; however, when I read up on it later I did find a connection. Many schizophrenics experience difficulty maintaining sleep and suffer from disturbed sleep. Many schizophrenic patients have a shorter sleep time and do not get quality sleep.
DeleteAdditionally, another interesting thing is that one of the treatment options for schizophrenia, antipsychotics, also helps some patients sleep well. They increase the total sleep time and sleep quality.
Considering specific sleep disorders, studies have shown that schizophrenics are more likely to develop sleep apnea than other sleep disorders. However, it is unclear if people who suffer from RLS or PLMD have a higher prevalence in schizophrenic patients.