How can we help with Insomnia & Sleep Issues?

Experiencing Insomnia & Sleep Issues

Sleep is a vital process in maintaining a good level of both physical and mental health. It enables the body and mind to rest and repair itself to ensure we are able to function well in our daily lives. For most of us, sleep is something we take for granted and rarely give a second thought to; until we don’t get enough. Although sleep feels like one continuous state of unconsciousness, it is in fact made up of several different stages which repeat during the time we are asleep.

Insomnia is the interruption of your normal pattern and affects as many as 25% of adults. The condition can last anything from a few days to months (chronic insomnia) and can lead to depression and other health conditions. The symptoms include difficulty in getting to sleep, waking frequently, still feeling tired after sleep, waking early and not getting back to sleep, lack of concentration and headaches.

Our therapists can help by working on changing unhelpful behaviours by uncovering the root cause of the problem and helping you to change your perception of the issue. We can help you to relearn the desired behaviour, after all, we were born knowing how to sleep, so the ability to sleep will still be there. We can support you in making beneficial changes to your routine before bed and ensure your sleeping environment is conducive for sleeping.

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Boat on calm water suggesting peaceful sleep

Types of Insomnia & Sleep Issues

Confusional Arousals

These can occur when you wake up but remain in a confused and disorientated state and can last for a few minutes before returning to sleep. The confusional arousals do not cause harm but are usually an indicator of another issue such as sleep apnoea or restless legs syndrome.

Restless Leg Syndrome

This is a neurological disorder that causes an overwhelming urge to move your legs. There is often an unpleasant feeling in the legs that can improve temporarily by moving them. The sleep disruption caused can leave people feeling low in energy, irritable or even depressed during the day.

Sleepwalking

This is when an individual can walk and talk whilst still being asleep, although they give the appearance of being awake. Usually, the activity whilst sleepwalking consists of simple, repeated behaviours but can sometimes be more complex and even dangerous.

Often sleepwalkers have little or no memory of the incident.

It is more common in childhood, but adults can suffer, with the condition being exacerbated by alcohol, stress and some medication.

Sleep Paralysis

This is a state that occurs during waking up or falling asleep, when the person is conscious but in a complete state of body paralysis. During these transitions it can be very distressing to have a few seconds or even minutes where you are completely unable to move or speak. Fear can result, especially if also experiencing hallucinations. It is important to remember this will soon pass and does not cause harm, with the effects soon wearing off.

Nightmare Disorder

This describes when a person experiences frequent and vivid nightmares, waking with detailed memories of the dream which often involve a threat to life. It can sometimes be a symptom of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

Night Terrors

Night terrors is a condition where the sufferer experiences extreme panic and confusion. Sometimes they person can kick and thrash about. Although they may appear to be awake, they will usually return to sleep fairly quickly with no recollection of the episode. Whilst most common in children, this can also happen in adulthood. This can be very distressing or even cause risk for another sleeping in the same bed.