Online Therapy for Sleep Disorders
On the United We Care mental health platform, you can find clinical therapists for sleep disorders who are specialized in helping identify the thoughts and behavior that result in sleep issues.
What are Sleep Disorders?
Are you having sleepless nights and are unable to focus on work in the mornings? Sleep disorders are a group of conditions that affect the sleep-wake cycle in one form or another. This creates an imbalance in the ability to sleep on a regular basis, and can have a negative impact on physical and mental wellness.
Cause of Sleep Disorders
The cause of sleep disorder could be narcolepsy, work demands, prolonged delayed sleep, demanding work-home life, major transition in life, or problems in interpersonal relationships.
Effects of Sleep Disorders
Unhealthy sleeping patterns can cause mental illnes, and might even result in substance abuse disorder.
Signs and Symptoms of Sleep Disorders
The symptoms seen during nighttime are: frequently waking up, wandering inside the home, sleep talking, night falls, and frequent leg movement.
Daytime symptoms include: irritation, anger, fatigue, sleepiness throughout the day, impact on the ability to think, concentration, decision-making, attention and memory, falling asleep in the afternoon or evening, lack of enthusiasm, and reduced participation in events and activities.
Types of Sleep Disorders
The types of sleep disorders are:
Insomnia
Insomnia refers to the inability to fall asleep or to remain asleep.
Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is characterized by pauses in breathing during sleep.
Parasomnia
Parasomnias are a class of sleep disorders that cause abnormal movement and behavior during sleep.
Restless Leg Syndrome
Restless leg syndrome (RLS) is an overwhelming need to move the legs.
Narcolepsy
Narcolepsy is characterized by 'sleep attacks' that occur while awake.
Do I Have Insomnia? | Warning Signs of Insomnia
A few signs of Insomnia include:
- Difficulty falling asleep at night
- Waking up during the night
- Waking up too early
- Not feeling well-rested after a night of sleep
- Ongoing worries about sleep
If insomnia is disrupting your day-to-day life, then it is always advised to seek help. A sleep specialist will help you identify the cause of your sleep issues and how to treat them.
Do I Have a Sleep Disorder? | Diagnosing Sleep Disorders
Here are the warning signs of a type of sleep disorder:
- Consistently taking more than 30 minutes to fall asleep
- Long lasting fatigue and irritability during the day, even after getting 7-8 hours of sleep a night
- Waking up several times in the middle of the night
- Remaining awake, sometimes for hours
- Frequent and long naps during the day
- Difficulty concentrating at work or school
Treating Sleep Disorders | Treatment for Sleep Disorders
The first line treatment for sleep disorder is CBT-I. Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia focuses on identifying the thoughts/anxieties related to insomnia and replacing them with healthier beliefs/thoughts and attitudes. The therapist may engage in the following techniques:
Sleep Education
The therapist will educate you with the importance of sleep and good sleep hygiene. The goal of sleep hygiene is to promote sleep behaviors which helps in sleep quality and quantity.
Stimulus Control Therapy
Stimulus control therapy helps in recognizing and changing sleep habits which are preventing you to sleep well.
Sleep Restriction and Compacting
The therapist will ask to maintain a sleep diary to find out the time spent sleeping each night as compared to the amount of time spent lying on the bed awake.
Blogs About Sleep DIsorder | Expert Advice
A Beginner’s Guide to Understanding, Diagnosing and Treating Insomnia
Find out how to know if you have insomnia or any such disorder, how to self-diagnose sleeping issues, and some ways you can get better sleep.
How to Meditate Before Going to Sleep
Meditating before sleeping has many benefits for the mind and body. Learn the art of meditating at night for a calm, deep sleep.
Are You Oversleeping? Here’s Why It Might Be Important
Oversleeping may be an outcome of physical ailments or mental health issues; both of which are equally vital and need to be addressed.