Sleeping is a way to relieve fatigue. During sleep,
overall brain activity slows but there are rapid bursts of energy.
When sleeping with rapidly increasing brain activity,
a person will experience more intense dreams.
Getting enough sleep has an impact on emotional
information from the brain. During sleep, the brain works to evaluate every
memory and thought.
Lack of sleep is very dangerous for emotional
conditions that affect mood and emotional reactivity.
Although more research is needed to identify the
various relationships between sleep and mental health, evidence suggests a
relationship influenced by many factors.
What are the psychological impacts of lack of sleep?
Lack of sleep or poor quality sleep can increase the
risk of mental health disorders. Meanwhile insomnia can be a symptom of mental
disorders.
According to the Columbia University Irving Center,
sleep problems can contribute to a variety of mental health problems, including
depression and anxiety.
Studies show that healthy people can experience
increased levels of anxiety and distress due to lack of sleep.
Those with mental health disorders are even more
likely to experience chronic sleep problems and tend to exacerbate
psychological problems.
The good news is, there are ways to improve the
quality and quantity of sleep to reduce its impact.
Adopting healthy sleep habits can help improve sleep
quality.
However, chronic insomnia sufferers should seek
professional help, including cognitive behavioral therapy.
This therapy teaches patients about sleep. The goal is
changing sleep behavior and strategies such as stimulus control, sleep
restriction, relaxation techniques and cognitive therapy.
If sleep problems persist or you frequently feel
sleepy during the day despite getting enough sleep, it's time to see a
specialist.
This step can help determine cognitive behavioral therapy, medication, or other treatments.