Anxiety Sleep Disorder

Anxiety and sleep disorders often go hand in hand. There’s an interesting problem associated with an anxiety sleep disorder. Sometimes it’s not clear which came first. What I mean is, did the anxiety cause the sleep disorder or did the sleep disorder cause the anxiety. You see, it can go either way.

Let’s begin with a definition of a sleep disorder. A simple definition is persistent trouble getting a good night’s sleep. It can include anything from simple snoring to sleepwalking to severe insomnia.

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It’s important to know that sleep is not simple downtime, nor is it a uniform state of consciousness. A lot of things go on while we sleep. Our bodies are resting, but our brains are also forming memories and even processing information. We experience multiple stages of sleep every night. These stages are associated with brain waves that can be measured, and each stage plays an important role in our well-being.

You’ve probably heard the expression “I think I’ll sleep on it” if someone is wrestling with a problem. People often do discover answers during their sleep and have better retention of material they were studying just before sleep. Our brains process and rearrange information while we sleep.

Lack of sleep disrupts all this.

Physically, it leads to slower reaction times, irritability and poorer performance. It also causes difficulty learning challenging material and poorer recall of material you’ve already learned. Areas of the brain associated with learning and memory are very active during sleep.

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Lack of sleep also adversely affects hormone levels, especially growth hormone. It’s also associated with high blood pressure and heart disease.

Obviously, getting enough sleep is important. Being panicky, worried or even slightly anxious interferes with falling asleep or having restful, rejuvenating sleep.

It’s interesting to note that brain wave studies show that lack of sleep leads to over activity in areas of the brain associated with anxiety and depression. This implies that lack of sleep at least contributes to problems with anxiety or may even cause anxiety.

I think you can see how a vicious circle could develop. If someone who has a predisposition to anxiety doesn’t get enough sleep they may become anxious and irritable. They then have even more trouble sleeping, which makes them more anxious and so it continues.

Clearly you need to get enough sleep and you need to avoid getting into that vicious cycle. Unfortunately the solution to this problem that comes to most people’s minds isn’t a good one. Most people think that taking a “sleeping pill” in the answer. It isn’t. In fact, it can make things worse.

Sleeping pills are sedatives. It used to be barbiturates, but most physicians these days prescribe a Valium-type drug (Haldol, Ambien, etc.). The problem with these medications, aside from the risk of addiction, side effects and the fact that they become less effective if used regularly, is that they interfere with normal brain function during sleep. A sedated sleep like that doesn’t have the same restorative effects as normal sleep.

The same problem applies to alcohol. Many people take a drink (or several) before going to bed thinking it will help them sleep. Again, it does sedate them, but interrupts normal sleep cycles.

What should you do? You find some ideas on Natural Treatment of Anxiety Sleep
Disorders. Meanwhile, here are some other things to be aware of.

A special situation is the possibility of sleep apnea causing anxiety or even panic attacks.

Physicians are increasing realizing how serious a condition sleep apnea is and how many problems it can cause. Sleep apnea is associated with high blood pressure, abnormal heartbeats, lung problems, heart failure, insulin problems an even an increased risk of sudden death. It can also cause anxiety.

Anyone having anxiety issues at night, especially associated with restless sleep, should consider being evaluated in a sleep lab. If sleep apnea is present, getting it treated will almost always get rid of the anxiety.

Once sleep apnea has been ruled out, treating anxiety, without drugs or only short term use of drugs, is the best approach. Again, take a look at Natural Treatment of Anxiety Sleep Disorder and also check out Panic Puzzle Review.

Hope you’re soon sleeping like a baby.

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