Sleep deprivation is closely linked with mental health conditions

The link between sleep and mental health is a strong one. We live in a society in which the lack of sleep is common, and people with some of the most prevalent mental health issues such as depression and anxiety are far more likely to suffer from sleep-related disorders than the population as a whole.

The psychiatrist at New Rochelle Psychiatry Office offers a variety of counseling and behavioral therapies for patients with sleep disorders, to identify and treat the underlying problems that may be causing or contributing to your lack of sleep. In addition, a psychiatrist is fully qualified as a medical doctor who can order tests, prescribe medication and provide referrals to specialists in sleep medicine when indicated. 

For those desperate for a good night’s sleep, turning to over-the-counter remedies, alcohol or other substances may provide temporary relief, but not a solution. Working with a trained doctor of psychiatry is a safe, effective step toward providing long-term healing.

Experts have recommended a host of suggestions to address sleep deprivation issues, and we’ve summarized them below:

• Restrict your bedtime activities to sleeping and sex. Watching TV or treating your bedroom like an office for returning phone calls and messages are exercises in wakefulness, not sleepiness.

• Keep your bedroom cool, dark and quiet to help induce sleep.

• Stick to a schedule in which you go to bed and get up at the same time each day, and create a comforting ritual around bedtime such as reading or taking a bath.

• Don’t eat too close to bedtime, and especially avoid drinking beverages with caffeine or alcohol.

• Exercise helps generate sleep-producing hormones, but don’t start your routine too late at night, or it could keep you awake.

If you’ve tried various methods and continue to suffer from sleep deprivation, talk to our psychiatrist at New Rochelle Psychiatry Office. Together we shall peel back the layers to reveal what issues lie at the heart of the problem, and work toward a healthy tomorrow.