Sleep Disorders

Struggling to get a good night’s sleep is incredibly frustrating and also puts your mental and physical health at risk. When difficulty sleeping turns into an ongoing problem, chances are you have a sleep disorder needing expert treatment from Jeanne Nicholson, ARNP, PMHNP-BC, at Nicholson Psychiatry, PLLC, in Bellevue, Washington. Don’t keep dragging yourself through the day. Call the office or use online booking to schedule an appointment and get help for your sleep disorder.

What are sleep disorders?

Sleep disorders are a group of conditions that prevent you from getting the restorative sleep you need to stay healthy. They reduce the amount of time you sleep and interrupt your sleep, which causes problems by disrupting your sleep cycle.

The different sleep disorders include:

• Insomnia
• Narcolepsy
• Sleep apnea
• Circadian rhythm disorders
• Restless legs syndrome

Insomnia, the most common sleep disorder, makes it hard to fall asleep and/or stay asleep throughout the night. Many people have temporary insomnia, but it can also become a chronic (long-lasting) problem.

Why do I have a sleep disorder?

Every sleep disorder has a different cause. For example, sleep apnea occurs when your tongue covers your airway and you stop breathing, while restless legs syndrome has many possible causes ranging from low iron to nerve damage.

Insomnia often arises from lifestyle issues like drinking too much caffeine, sleeping with the lights on, or having too much stress in your life.

Chronic insomnia is also associated with underlying health problems, such as:

• Sleep apnea
• Heart disease
• Chronic pain
• Overactive thyroid
• Restless legs syndrome
• Mental health disorders

Insomnia often occurs together with anxiety, depression, mood disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

How do sleep disorders affect my health?

Lack of sleep causes:

• Fatigue
• Anxiety
• Poor attention
• Memory loss
• Irritability
• Hyperactivity
• Aggressiveness
• Poor performance at school or work

Insomnia also causes serious health problems. Your body takes care of essential maintenance while you sleep. For example, your brain eliminates toxins and stores memories, certain hormones are produced, and your heart has the chance to relax.

Waking up during the night or not sleeping long enough disrupts these processes, increasing your risk of developing high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes, coronary artery disease, and obesity.

How are sleep disorders treated?

Each sleep disorder has a different treatment based on its cause. Nicholson Psychiatry, PLLC,  treats insomnia and the mental health issues that often accompany other sleep disorders like depression and anxiety.

When treating insomnia, Jeanne recommends sleep medications and/or behavioral therapy, depending on your symptoms. 

Sleep medications are highly effective for insomnia, but Jeanne closely monitors your progress because they’re also habit-forming. She may prescribe other medications like antidepressants, which treat insomnia, as well as depression and anxiety. 

If you struggle with insomnia, don’t wait to seek treatment. Call Nicholson Psychiatry, PLLC, today or book an appointment online.