Sleep and mental health go hand in hand. In the past, we used to think of sleep as a “passive state” where we were completely disconnected from the world—of course, now we know that’s not the case. Sleep is essential to our health and survival. That’s why, at the TMS Institute of Arizona, we use non-invasive forms of therapy to help with a variety of conditions including sleep disorders. TMS is a completely non-invasive treatment series that uses a magnetic field and the brain cells’ natural electricity to manipulate areas of the brain in charge of certain things—like sleep.
Increasingly, and rightfully, we are re-thinking sleep and recognizing its importance as a vital function of life. However, our society still ranks productivity over rest. It will take some time for the hustle and grind culture to be reversed and for sleep to get the overall appreciation it deserves, but you can make some changes now. There are many types of sleep disorders, and insomnia is one of the most common. There are also a lot of different possible triggers and causes of chronic insomnia, from stress to night shifts and poor sleep hygiene. If you have tried options for addressing your insomnia and failed, or if you want to avoid sleep medications, TMS therapy may be able to help.
Sweet Sleep
When you don’t get enough quality sleep, you know that you suffer. You’re tired, distracted, forgetful, and in a bad mood the next day. Lack of sleep can also be dangerous, with studies showing those with sleep deprivation more often have issues with attention and injury. This can lead to a preventable car collision or other accident. However, if you’ve suffered with chronic insomnia for some time, you might not remember what it’s like to be well-rested. Sleep deprivation is a constant state for many Americans, but that doesn’t make it any more acceptable.
We’re irritable when we’re tired. It can be difficult to regulate our emotions, both in our professional and personal lives. Stressors that should be tolerable might seem insurmountable. In the long run, lack of sleep can even turn into mental health disorders like depression and anxiety (TMS can also help with these disorders). Not only are sleep disorders and disturbances tied to our mental health, they also have an intimate relationship with mental disorders. In fact, “sleep disturbance” is listed as one of the diagnostic criteria items for some psychiatric conditions. Insomnia is often cited when diagnosing major depressive disorder (MDD). But what is insomnia?
Insomnia: One of the Most Common Sleep Disorders
Insomnia might not look like you imagine. Yes, for many people, it means trouble falling asleep. It can also present as not being able to stay asleep and waking up in the middle of the night. Insomnia might mean only getting light sleep and never entering REM. No matter how insomnia presents, it is negatively affecting your overall wellness and ability to function the next day.
Ultimately, sleep and mental health have a bidirectional relationship. Lack of sleep negatively affects mental health. Mental health conditions can make it tough to fall and stay asleep. After all, it’s a challenge when you have anxiety to shelve concerns at night when it is time to fall asleep. When you have both sleep disturbances and a mental health condition, they are working in tandem to exacerbate each other. It’s a bit of a chicken and egg scenario, and you might not always know which came first. The good news is that TMS can address both.
A Different Treatment Approach
Many people with depression take prescription medications. However, many of these Rx’s actually worsen sleep disturbances. That isn’t the case with TMS. Since TMS has been shown to help with sleep issues as well as many mental health conditions, you can tackle two birds (or chickens) with one stone.
In terms of sleep disorders, it’s also a good idea to see a sleep specialist and undertake some sleep hygiene best practices. Going to bed and getting up at the same time daily is important. Avoiding caffeine, alcohol, and screens a few hours before bedtime is a must. Remove all electronics from your bedroom, including your cell phone, and invest in a battery-operated alarm clock instead (without a light is preferable). Make sure your bedroom is just for sleeping and that it is cool, dark, and as noise-free as possible (a fan or white noise machine may help). If you’re ready to learn more about TMS for sleep issues, depression, anxiety, or all three, contact the TMS Institute today. Call the clinic during business hours or complete the online contact form now.
