There are strong links between sleeping well and good mental health, according to the Sleep Health Foundation.
“Mental health problems and sleep problems can be seen as two sides of the same coin, if you see one, the other often exists on the other side – which may be hidden or unrecognised,” Chair of the Sleep Health Foundation, Professor Shantha Rajaratnam says.
“It is often asked which comes first, the emotional/mental health problems or the sleep problems? We now know that disturbances with sleep and mental health can interact in either direction.”
On a brighter note, Professor Rajaratnam says improving sleep can often reduce the severity of mental health problems and that there is currently a push to treat both sleep problems and mental health problems simultaneously through effective, evidence-based interventions.
The Sleep Health Foundation recently launched its latest Fact Sheet, ‘Mental Health and Sleep’, which outlines important things to note about mental health and sleep.
The facts about mental health and sleep include:
- Sleep and emotional wellbeing
The saying ‘they got out of the wrong side of the bed’ is often used to describe someone who is moody, irritable or hard to get along with on a particular day. This saying shows that people understand that there is a relationship between how you slept and your emotional wellbeing.
According to the Sleep Health Foundation, mental health problems and sleep problems are often linked and can interact in either direction.
- Frequent sleep disturbances can be associated with a higher risk of mental health problems down the track
Rigorous and large-scale studies have shown that chronic sleep disturbance is a significant risk factor for the development of mental health problems such as depression, paranoia, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, hallucinations and even suicidal behaviours. The risk increases with habitual sleep loss, insomnia, obstructive sleep apnoea and other sleep disorders.
- People with poor mental health are typically poor sleepers too
Mental ill-health may be associated with persistent trouble falling asleep, having more fragmented sleep and/or waking too early in the morning.
Nightmares, bad dreams or restless legs are sometimes a feature. Sometimes people with hidden or unknown mental health issues notice ongoing sleep problems first. They may even discuss these with their doctor before it is realised that they also have mental health problems that are affecting the way they deal with life. Seeking help for sleep problems can be an easier first step rather than seriously consider that they may have depression, anxiety or other mental health issues.
- Treatment
The good news is that improving sleep will often reduce the severity of mental health problems.
Getting better sleep is also a great strategy for helping to prevent mental health problems developing, or reducing the chances of a relapse. There are effective, evidence-based ways to improve your sleep and these should be part of any treatment plan to help mental health where sleep is poor.
The Sleep Health Foundation says there is now a push to treat both sleep problems and mental health problems at the same time. Sometimes the same health professional can be skilled in both treatment areas. Carefully selected medications may be indicated in some instances, especially for more severe mental health conditions.
Learning more about possible reasons for sleep disturbances, and getting helpful hints on what you can do, is a good starting point. For help with persistent sleep problems talk to your GP. They may refer you to a Sleep Specialist, who will provide skilled diagnostic services (often involving a sleep study) and treatment options across a range of sleep disorders. Individualised treatment for insomnia using Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-i) principles can be provided by a specialised Sleep Psychologist, typically with a referral from your GP.
Mindfulness is also a helpful strategy to improve sleep, especially when the mind has trouble shutting down.
- Sleep and its relationship to other health issues
Sleep disturbance is a common feature within anxiety and depression. There are ranges of other medical/psychiatric issues that can also be associated with poor sleep.
Importantly, finding ways of addressing sleeping problems can help to either prevent and/or improve various conditions such as anxiety, depression, sleep terrors and sleepwalking.
For more information visit – https://www.sleephealthfoundation.org.au/
