Sleep Problems

Not getting a full night of sleep results in a day of yawning and consuming a lot of coffee. However, not getting the right amount of sleep day after day can cause extreme fatigue and other longterm ramifications. If you consistently sleep poorly, you may have a sleeping disorder and should seek professional help. Sleep problems can be greatly reduced or cured with therapy, so don’t continue to let yourself count sheep all night.

What are Sleep problems?

There are many different types of sleep problems, but the overarching issue for sleep disorders is: disrupted sleep, or lack of sleep altogether. Sleep problems can result from mental health conditions, medical conditions, trauma, or major life events. They not only affect people at night, but can have a major impact on people’s daily functioning and completion of tasks.

Mental health conditions and sleep problems have a close relationship. One can cause or heighten the other and vise versa. The most common mental illnesses that correlate with sleep disorders are:
– Anxiety
– Depression
– Bipolar Affective Disorder
– Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
– Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
– Substance abuse

What are the symptoms of Sleep problems?

Symptoms vary depending on the disorder, but the main symptoms are as follows:
– Difficulty falling asleep
– Difficulty remaining asleep
– Fatigue
– Falling asleep at unusual times
– Irritability
– Heightened mental health issues

What are the types of Sleep problems?

There are over 96 diagnosable sleep disorders, many of which are caused by mental illnesses, such as anxiety or depression. Some of the most common sleep disorders are:
– Insomnia
– Hypersomnia
– Nightmares
– Nocturnal panic attacks
– Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)
– Excessive daytime sleepiness
– Periodic Limb Movement Disorder (PLMD)
– Restless Leg Syndrome (RSL)
– Abnormal sleep patterns
– Narcolepsy

How can therapy help?

Many people turn to sleeping pills when they are having issues falling asleep, but therapy can be the better route because it eliminates the possibility of negative side effects. Medication is a temporary fix to long-lasting issues and therefore, it is more valuable to cure your sleep problems and address any underlying issues. If you choose to undergo Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, your therapist will help you improve your sleep by adjusting your thought patterns during moments when you should be asleep. They will work with you on identifying which types of thinking are productive and which are unhealthy. Your therapist will also provide you with relaxation methods and other healthy lifestyle habits.

Although therapy is highly recommended, medication can be a good short term resource to break a cycle of sleepless nights and get you back on a good sleeping schedule.

Types of therapy offered for Sleep problems at The Blue Tree Clinic?

– Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
– Hypnotherapy
– Psychiatry

How can The Blue Tree Clinic help you?

At The Blue Tree Clinic, our top priority is improving your mental health. Due to the fact that sleep problems greatly impact mental health conditions and vise versa, we are motivated to help put you on a good sleeping schedule. Addressing sleep problems is essential to your overall well-being. At our clinic, we have therapists who specialize in CBT and Hypnotherapy and are happy to work with you on correcting sleep issues. It’s incredible what a good night of sleep can do to a person’s mood and overall health.