Sleep Problems | Denver
Your Journey Towards a Better Night
Getting a good night’s rest is essential to mental wellbeing. This can be difficult if you are dealing with sleep problems. It may be time to get help with a sleep problem if you are having difficulty meeting your daytime responsibilities. Understanding the symptoms, causes, and treatment options for sleep disorders is crucial for improving your sleep quality and restoring your mental health.
At A Better Day Psychiatry, our providers are knowledgeable in treating insomnia, hypersomnia (too much sleep), and delayed sleep phase disorder (difficulty falling asleep then sleeping in too late in the day).
Sleep Disorder Evaluation and Diagnosis
The Process At A Better Day Psychiatry
The process of diagnosing a sleep disorder begins with a psychiatric evaluation intake, which is typically 45 minutes to 1 hour in length. The evaluation can be done entirely virtually via a telehealth appointment.
During the intake, your provider will assess your current sleep symptoms and explore potential overlaps or co-occurrences with other mental health disorders. Additionally, they will delve into your past psychiatric, medical, family, social, substance use, and developmental histories to gain a comprehensive understanding of your situation. For sleep disturbances, some of the specific things your provider will be looking at are:
- Sleep symptoms (difficulty falling asleep, difficulty staying asleep, etc)
- Sleep patterns (how often do you experience difficulties and do you see in patterns or connectedness)
- Sleep hygiene (bedtime routine, sleep environment, etc)
After the evaluation and diagnosis, your provider will collaborate with you to create a personalized treatment strategy centered around your goals for improving sleep. If necessary, your provider may recommend you complete a sleep study for further evaluation. This may be scheduled through your primary care doctor or through a sleep center.
Sleep Problems Treatment Options
The Process At A Better Day Psych
At A Better Day Psychiatry we work with the patient and family collaboratively to provide a tailored treatment approach. We view our relationship with you as a partnership and believe that reaching the treatment decisions together as a team leads to the best outcomes.
The first step in sleep problems, such as insomnia treatment, involves education about the treatment options and what may be the best fit. Treatment options may include:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) | Sleep Disorder Therapy
(CBT-I) is a highly effective, evidence-based treatment for individuals struggling with chronic insomnia. It is considered a first line treatment for sleep disorders. It focuses on addressing the underlying factors contributing to sleep difficulties and promoting healthy sleep habits. **I’d like to link this to an “encyclopedia page” that will give more info. Or blog, “therapy for sleep disorders”
Medication Options for Sleep Disorders | Psychiatric Medication Management
Medication is an option for some sleep disorders that you can discuss with your provider to see if it would be a good fit. It is particularly helpful when paired with CBT-I and generally is only used for a short duration. When starting medication, our philosophy at A Better Day Psychiatry is to aim for the lowest effective dose for the patient for the shortest duration given it is easy to develop tolerance or dependence on sleep medications. In some cases, adding a medication may be beneficial though to help get back on track or to help stabilize co-occuring mental health issues that arise from insomnia. Ultimately, the decision to start medication is always up to you. If medication is deemed appropriate, you would continue receiving care through our psychiatric medication management program.
Lifestyle Modifications
Lifestyle can play a significant role in managing sleep disturbances. While they may not replace professional treatment, lifestyle changes can complement therapy and/or medication and contribute to better mental health outcomes. Examples of lifestyle modification include:
- Practice good sleep hygiene.
- Optimize sleep environment.
- Get regular exercise.
- Avoid heavy meals, caffeine, and alcohol close to bedtime.
- Manage Stress.
- Expose yourself to natural light.
A Better Day Psychiatry can provide sleep disorder treatment in Denver, Lakewood, Golden and surrounding areas with qualified and caring providers
About Insomnia
Facts and Symptoms in Adults and Children
Insomnia is the most common sleep disorder. In fact, approximately 10 to 30% of adults Sleep by the Numbers – National Sleep Foundation (thensf.org), and 20-30% of youth Sleep Disorders in Children | Sleep Foundation, in the United States, experiences insomnia. It is characterized by:
- Difficulty falling asleep
- Difficulty staying asleep
- Waking up too early and being unable to fall back asleep
Insomnia can be transient, lasting a few nights, or chronic, persisting for months or even years. Insomnia has short-term impacts, such as:
- Day time fatigue
- Irritability
- Difficulty concentrating
- Impaired cognitive functioning
Insomnia is also associated with long-term negative health outcomes, including increased risk of cardiovascular disease, obesity, diabetes, depression, and anxiety disorders. Various factors contribute to insomnia, including stress, anxiety, depression, poor sleep hygiene, medical conditions, medications, and lifestyle factors.
Seeking timely treatment and support from mental health professionals is crucial for stopping the cycle of insomnia.
About Hypersomnia
Hypersomnia is a sleep disorder characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness and prolonged nighttime sleep. Individuals with hypersomnia often experience difficulty staying awake during the day, regardless of how much sleep they get at night. This excessive sleepiness can interfere with daily activities, work, school, and social functioning. Hypersomnia can be caused by various factors, such as underlying depression or anxiety.
About Delayed Sleep Phase Disorder
Delayed sleep phase disorder (DSPD) is a circadian rhythm sleep disorder characterized by a persistent inability to fall asleep and wake up at conventional times. Individuals with DSPD have difficulty falling asleep until late at night and then struggle to wake up at a typical time in the morning. This delayed sleep pattern results in chronic sleep deprivation, daytime sleepiness, fatigue, and impaired daytime functioning. DSPD is believed to be caused by a misalignment between an individual’s internal body clock (circadian rhythm) and external social or work demands.
Begin your Journey towards a better day.
At A Better Day Psychiatry, we can help you or a loved one improve sleep disturbances and overall mental wellbeing. Schedule with a provider today for sleep disorder evaluation and treatment options. Begin your journey towards A Better Night.
Sleep Problem FAQs
At A Better Day Psychiatry, we want you to be informed in the clinical process of diagnosis and evaluation of sleep disturbances in adults and kids. Below are answers to frequently asked questions about sleep disorders Denver.
Why is Sleep Important for Mental Health
Sleep is crucial for mental health because it plays a significant role in various cognitive functions, emotional regulation, and overall well being. Adequate sleep allows the brain to process emotions, consolidate memories, and restore energy levels. Without enough sleep, individuals may experience mood disturbances, difficulty concentrating, irritability, and heightened stress levels. Chronic sleep deprivation has been linked to an increased risk of developing mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder. Additionally, quality sleep supports healthy brain function, resilience to stress, and better decision-making abilities, all of which are essential for maintaining optimal mental health. Therefore, prioritizing sufficient and restorative sleep is essential for promoting mental wellness.
What Treatments are there for Sleep Problems?
- CBTi
- Medications
- Lifestyle modifications and sleep hygiene
How much sleep should I be getting every night?
The amount of sleep needed varies by age and individual. Generally, adults require 7-9 hours of sleep per night, while children and teenagers need more, typically 8-14 hours depending on age. It’s essential to prioritize quality sleep to support overall health and mental wellbeing. If you’re unsure about how much sleep you need, consult with a healthcare provider for personalized guidance.
Are naps good or bad for me?
If you are the type of person who can take a nap and still fall asleep easily at night then nap away! Most people however will diminish the “sleep pressure” that builds during he day by taking naps, making it much more difficult to fall asleep at night
What techniques can I do to sleep better at night?
- Keep a consistent bedtime and wake-up time each day
- Avoid caffeine, alcohol, or chocolate too close to bedtime
- Avoid overly stimulating activities such as exercise too close to bedtime
- Avoid screen time or use a blue-light filter close to bedtime
- If you are laying in bed and cannot fall asleep, get up and do something that is not too stimulating but still holds your attention until you feel tired then try again
- Avoid naps
- Use your bed only for sleep and sex. Avoid watching shows, studying, etc. in bed