Sleep Disorders and Insomnia

Sleep disturbances are prevalent in modern-day people. One in three adults in the USA is not getting enough sleep. Difficulty in falling asleep because of relationship issues, work difficulties, or exams are common. However, when you consistently experience problems in initiating, maintaining, or getting back to sleep after waking up, you are probably experiencing a sleep disorder. Sleep disorder leads to chronic fatigue, irritability, and functional impairment in personal, social, occupational, academic, and various other areas of functioning.

Common sleep disorders include insomnia, sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome, and parasomnias. Sleep disorders can occur independently or accompanied by other medical conditions, i.e., pain disorders, obesity, and psychological conditions, i.e., depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, or posttraumatic stress disorder. Whatever the cause of sleep disorders is, these are treatable and manageable.

The first line of treatment for sleep disorders is seeking therapy and consulting a therapist or psychiatrist. A therapist will assess your sleep problem’s root cause and suggest the relevant mode of treatment.   The counselor or therapist will work on your cognitions and behaviors that are interfering with your sleep. You will learn healthy and adaptive coping strategies and cognitive patterns that will improve your sleep.  Medication is also an option including various antidepressants and hypnotics.

In severe cases, when the sleep problem is not manageable by psychological therapy and counseling, the therapist may refer you to the psychiatrist. The psychiatrist will perform a sleep study and appropriate tests and will prescribe medication appropriate for your condition. Going to the sleep therapist to deal with your sleep issues is the best step that you can take. Because if left untreated, sleep issues can lead to various medical and psychological conditions like cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, gastrointestinal issues, chronic fatigue, depression, and mood disorders. Thus if you are not getting enough sleep lately, don’t hesitate to talk to a counselor or therapist.