Trouble Sleeping or Sleep Disorder? How to Know When You Need More Than Just Exercise
You’ve tried everything – from improving your diet to doing more exercise to reducing screen time before bed – but none of it is working. You’re still not getting a good night’s sleep.
Are you just having trouble sleeping well? Or could this be a sign of something more serious, like a sleep disorder?
What Do Sleep Disorders Look Like?
Sleep disorders can vary greatly from person to person based on what’s going on in your life. Sleep disorders can be acute, with onset within the last 3 months, or they may become chronic, continuing for 6 months or more.
Insomnia, one of the most common sleep disorders, can make it difficult to fall asleep or may mean that you struggle to stay asleep throughout the night. These disorders tend to be rooted in psychology, though they may also produce physiological side effects. Sleep may also be negatively impacted, in duration and quality, by common mental health challenges, such as anxiety or depression.
Alternatively, your sleep troubles may be caused by a physical health issue. For example, sleep apnea is a common disorder affecting breathing during sleep. This condition can be treated by tools such as a CPAP machine or may require lifestyle changes as prescribed by a doctor. Sleep can also be influenced by comorbid conditions, such as cancer.
Is It Time to See a Psychologist?
A sleep disorder is a serious health issue that may compromise your quality of life. If you suspect that you are experiencing disordered sleep, it’s important to seek support.
“A sleep disorder is different to a few bad nights’ sleep,” says Davis Lemke of Malvern Psychology Clinic, Clarity Health Care. “The underlying causes of a sleep disorder can’t be addressed with a change of diet or regular walks, although those things do help. Sleep disorders need proper diagnosis by a clinical psychologist and a course of therapy that addresses the underlying issues.”
If you’ve been having ongoing difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or getting good quality of sleep, or if you’ve started to notice symptoms of poor sleep in your everyday life, it’s time to talk to a professional.
What Solutions Could You Explore?
An experienced psychologist can offer a range of programs designed to help you overcome sleep disorders and improve your rest.
Your psychologist might employ a variety of cognitive behavioral therapy methods. They may want to discuss underlying stressors that might be causing your poor sleep, or they may recommend lifestyle habits to help reset your circadian rhythm. In severe cases, a psychiatrist may even recommend medications to help you fall and stay asleep.
Do you need to see someone about your sleep habits? Reach out to a sleep psychologist in Melbourne, such as the team at Clarity Health Care.
