MHM Magazine

30 | MENTALHEALTHMATTERS | Issue 2 | 2021 MHM SADAG Office 011 234 4837 24 Hour Suicide Crisis Helpline 0800 567 567 Dr Reddy’s Mental Health Helpline 0800 21 22 23 24 Hour Cipla Mental Health Helpline 0800 456 789 Pharmadynamics Trauma Helpline 0800 20 50 26 Adcock Depression & Anxiety Helpline 0800 70 80 90 ADHD Helpline 0800 55 44 33 24 Hour Substance Abuse Helpline 0800 12 13 14 The South African Depression and Anxiety Group TheSADAG Website: www.sadag.org Sleep deprivation may result in increased oxidative stress which also increases cancer risk. Reduced Concentration or Memory: Sleep is hypothesised to be important in consolidation of memory; however exactly how this occurs is still debated. Irrespective of the mechanism, poor sleep has been associated with deficits in memory. Attention is affected by sleep and inadequate sleep may even mimic attention-deficit-hyperactive disorder. Poor sleep may affect decision making and judgement. The effects of poor sleep are even demonstrable on imagining studies, with poor sleep being associated with changes in multiple areas of the brain such as the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex. Depression and Irritability: Mental health and sleep are inter-related. Poor sleep may be a symptom of depression, anxiety or bipolar disorder to name a few. Sleep deprivation may however worsen mood and people who are sleep deprived may report low mood, tearfulness and irritability. Poor concentration and cognition due to poor sleep may also leave people feeling overwhelmed. If sleep is disrupted enough, poor performance at work and poor decision making may result in functional impairment which in turn may affect mood negatively. Sleep is a vital for maintaining physical and emotional health and functionality. Management of poor sleep involves not just treating the symptom but also the underlying cause. While judicious pharmacotherapy may be indicated for acute relief, chronic benzodiazepine or other sleeping medication, e.g. Zolpidem, is not ideal and will not resolve difficulties with sleep if the cause is left untreated. Sleep hygiene and psychotherapeutic interventions such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for sleep may also play a valuable role in managing poor sleep. Early detection, diagnosis of cause and early appropriate management may prevent or treat a large number of secondary complications and improve overall wellbeing and general health. References are available on request.