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Screening Day 2007:
October 11, 2007
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| NDSD Media |
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A WAKE UP CALL: WHY YOU MIGHT HAVE TROUBLE SLEEPING
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An undetected mood or anxiety disorder may be affecting your sleep; Take a
free, anonymous mental health screening on October 5, 2006
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We all know the old saying, “Early to bed and early to rise, makes a man
healthy, wealthy, and wise.” But for the nearly 57 million affected by a mental
health disorder, getting a good night’s rest is no easy task. According to the
American Academy of Sleep Medicine, sleep disturbances figure prominently in
many psychiatric disorders. In fact, of the estimated 30 million Americans who
have chronic insomnia, 40 percent also have a psychiatric disorder, most often
depression or anxiety.
If you have been feeling anxious or depressed lately and as a result, have been
having difficulty sleeping, you can take a free, anonymous mental health
assessment at one of more than 1,500 sites participating in an NDSD Mental
Health Screening (National Depression Screening Day) event on October 5. As
part of the program, you will have the opportunity to take a brief, written
questionnaire and talk to a health professional about your results. Those who
score positive will be referred to local treatment resources.
“Sleep problems are a common symptom of depression, bipolar disorder and
anxiety disorders. There is also evidence that sleep disorders can be a
contributing cause of mood and anxiety disorders. For those who are
experiencing issues with sleep, it is important to talk to a health care
provider about the possible causes. By taking a screening and talking to a
health professional, individuals can take the first step in figuring out
whether their issues are linked to underlying mental health issue,” says
Douglas G. Jacobs, MD, President and CEO of Screening for Mental Health, the
organization that sponsors NDSD.
NDSD Mental Health Screening, now in its sixteenth year, is a program of the
nonprofit Screening for Mental Health, Inc. The free program provides a
non-threatening way for the public to be screened for depression, bipolar
disorder, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder. For more information or
to find a screening site near you, visit
www.MentalHealthScreening.org .
Tips for getting a good night’s sleep:
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Go to bed and wake up the same time each day. Having a sleep routine can help
train your body to know when it is time for sleep.
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Don’t lie in bed awake for more than 20 minutes. Get up and go read, watch TV
or listen to music, until you feel sleepy. The anxiety of being unable to fall
asleep can actually contribute to insomnia.
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Exercise early in the day. Working out to close to bedtime causes wakefulness.
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Avoid caffeine, nicotine and alcohol before bed. Caffeine and nicotine are
stimulants and can make falling asleep difficult. Alcohol affects REM and deep
sleep.
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Create a sleep sanctuary. Your bedroom should be quiet, dark and cool and
should be used for sleep and sex. Avoid working, eating or watching TV in bed.
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Invest in a good bed/mattress. You spend about a third of your life in bed so
make sure yours is comfortable.
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Try and relax before bed. Take a warm bath or meditate. If you are anxious or
worried about something, talk about it with a friend or partner earlier in the
day.
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If you continue to have trouble sleeping, talk to a health professional to rule
out a physical or mental illness.
Suggested Sidebar
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Screening for Mental Health, Inc.
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