Sleep Problems

Sleep is the regular period within 24 hours when we are unconscious and unaware of our surroundings. There are two types of sleep, Rapid Eye-Movement (REM) sleep (the brain is active, our eyes move quickly and we dream) and Non-REM sleep (the brain is resting but the body may be moving around). We move between these types of sleep throughout the night and may wake occasionally. The amount of sleep people need depends mainly on their age, most adults need between 7 and 8 hours sleep each night. The occasional sleepless night is quite common and harmless to your health, however after several sleepless nights you may begin to feel constantly tired, tend to sleep during the day and feel depressed. Sleep problems that you may experience include the following:

  • Insomnia (sleeping too little)- can occur for numerous reasons
  • Narcolepsy (Daytime sleepiness)- uncontrollable attacks of sleepiness even when in the company of other people and you may lose control of your muscles when excited, laughing or angry. You may also experience other symptoms, for example, being unable to speak or move when falling asleep or waking up (Sleep Paralysis)
  • Sleep Apnoea (Interrupted sleep)-you snore loudly and stop breathing for short periods throughout the night causing you to wake suddenly and leaving you feeling tired the next day with the urge to go to sleep.
  • Sleepwalking- you will appear to others to have woken and will begin to walk around and do things.
  • Night terrors- you will appear to have woken and look frightened. You will usually go back to sleep quite quickly.
  • Nightmares- a common experience, however when they occur frequently it is generally after a traumatic event.
  • Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS)- you may feel that you have to move your legs or another part of your body when you are resting and is generally worse at night.

Sleep problems are usually connected to anxiety, depression or traumatic experiences. Depressed people usually wake up early in the morning feeling panic-stricken and people with anxiety often have trouble getting to sleep due to worry. You can improve your sleep, for example, by establishing a routine so you go to bed and get up at the same time each day, taking regular exercise and avoiding caffeine and alcohol, especially in the evening. (Adapted from www.rcpsych.ac.uk/mentalhealthinformation/mentalhealthproblems/sleepproblems/sleepingwell.aspx)

How can we help you

  • Contact your GP
  • Gateway Team - the access point to mental health services

Below are detailed web links to information on sleep problems: 

Relevant links



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