Sleep Soundly Again: How a Psychiatrist Can Help with Mental Health-Related Insomnia

Getting a good night's sleep is essential for maintaining mental and emotional well-being. Unfortunately, many individuals experience insomnia, a condition characterized by either having difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or poor sleep quality. While there are various causes of insomnia, mental health issues such as anxiety and depression are common culprits. 

At Mental Health and Wellness Associates, our top psychiatrists have the experiencing and training to know how addressing these underlying conditions which is crucial for effective management of insomnia. 

In this article, we will explore some of the common mental health-related causes of insomnia and how a psychiatrist can help their patient overcome sleep problems and regain restful sleep.

Understanding Insomnia

Insomnia is more than just a few sleepless nights; it is a persistent condition that can have a significant impact on daily life.

Common symptoms include:

1. Difficulty falling asleep.
2. Waking up frequently during the night.
3. Waking up too early and not being able to fall back asleep.
4. Poor-quality sleep, leading to daytime fatigue and irritability.

Mental Health and Insomnia

Anxiety: Anxiety disorders, such as generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), panic disorder, or social anxiety, can lead to racing thoughts, worry, and restlessness, making it challenging to relax and fall asleep.

Depression: Insomnia is a common symptom of depression. It can manifest as difficulty falling asleep or as waking up too early in the morning and being unable to return to sleep.

Stress: Stress from life events, work, or personal issues can trigger acute insomnia. Managing stress is essential for restoring healthy sleep patterns.

Trauma: Individuals who have experienced trauma, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), may suffer from nightmares, night sweats, and flashbacks that disrupt sleep.

The Role of a Psychiatrist

Psychiatrists are trained to identify, diagnose, and treat the mental health factors that can cause or can contribute to insomnia:

Assessment: A comprehensive psychiatric evaluation helps identify underlying mental health conditions that may be causing or exacerbating insomnia.

Treatment of Underlying Conditions: Psychiatrists provide treatment for mental health issues, including therapy (such as cognitive-behavioral therapy), medication, or a combination of both to address anxiety, depression, and other concerns.

Medication Management: When necessary, psychiatrists can prescribe and monitor medication to alleviate insomnia and improve sleep quality.

Stress Management: Psychiatrists offer coping strategies and stress management techniques to help individuals better handle life's challenges.

Lifestyle Adjustments: In some cases, lifestyle modifications related to diet, exercise, and daily routines may be recommended to promote better sleep.

If you have having insomnia, sleep issues that cause you to have trouble falling and/or staying asleep, a psychiatrist can help. The first step is getting a proper diagnosis and the next is obtaining a customized treatment plan. 

If you are interested in becoming a new patient, please schedule a time to speak with our practice manager (using the "book online" button above) or call our office today.

References:

American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.). Washington, DC: Author.

Kessler, R. C., Berglund, P., Demler, O., Jin, R., Merikangas, K. R., & Walters, E. E. (2005). Lifetime prevalence and age-of-onset distributions of DSM-IV disorders in the National Comorbidity Survey Replication. Archives of General Psychiatry, 62(6), 593-602.

Morin, C. M., LeBlanc, M., Daley, M., Gregoire, J. P., & Merette, C. (2006). Epidemiology of insomnia: Prevalence, self-help treatments, consultations, and determinants of help-seeking behaviors. Sleep Medicine, 7(2), 123-130.

National Sleep Foundation. (2021). Insomnia. Retrieved from https://www.sleepfoundation.org/insomnia.

Riemann, D., Baglioni, C., Bassetti, C., Bjorvatn, B., Dolenc Groselj, L., Ellis, J. G., ... & Spiegelhalder, K. (2017). European guideline for the diagnosis and treatment of insomnia. Journal of Sleep Research, 26(6), 675-700.