Sleep deprivation

One of the common symptoms experienced by those with mental health problems is sleep deprivation. It is the first go to assessment tool I use with new and long term clients. During initial assessments and regular session status updates I inquire as to the amount and quality of their sleep . If they are getting six or less hours of quality sleep per night for more than a few days mental health challenges are going to exist. If it extends for a significant amount of time it is going to be difficult to make progress in therapy without first being able to make progress in dealing with sleep deprivation. If regular sleep hygiene methods are not effective in producing the needed sleep it may be helpful to refer them for medication management. If work stress prevents someone from getting needed sleep during the week it is unlikely a nights sleep will be much help. One or two nights of restful sleep is not sufficient to get out of sleep deprivation. Self medication with alcohol or other drugs is not helpful and compounds the problem. The sleep is often disturbed by trauma from the past which one confronts when the unconscious accesses it during sleep. A strong indicator of progress in therapy is improved sleep, whether the cause is from trauma, anxiety, pain or other mental or physical stressor.