5 of 31

Write now Article Tools

The anxiety from mental illness can indeed lead to sleep deprivation. Everything from depression to obsessive-compulsive disorder can interfere with getting some z's. Soon enough the lack of sleep feels like your nemesis.

DEPRESSION- Most of us know depression and the effects it has on us after a lost job, heartache from a failed relationship, the death of someone close, or even a bad week where nothing can go right.

Most of it wears away after awhile, but for others it drags on because they are always blue. Some cannot find interest in anything, they feel down, and cry a couple times a day. Others are irritable, worrying about everything, and feel utterly hopeless inside.

Insomnia is a distressing symptom of depression. People that cannot sleep because of this have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep. In most cases an antidepressant will get rid of the depression and take the insomnia with it.

I found this link especially helpful in this case.

http://www.ezinearticles. com/?Depression-How-It-Affects -Our-Sleep&id=183449

MANIC-DEPR ESSIVE ILLNESS- Having this mental illness is like having a normal person's up and down periods, only it is an extreme of that. Manic is where a person with this is persistently enthusiastic, has cravings, obsessions, interests, and likings that are very in-your-face. Later the depressed periods are very much down.

Sometimes the person's ecstasy can get way out of control where they become angry, demanding, argumentative, and can get so mad they want to throw their fists around because they feel like their way is the only right way to do something. Some people with this never develop the super highs and lows, but many have small highs and lows instead.

Like myself these individuals think that sleep is a waste of time and have much better things to do. When they are high they have less sleep(0-7 hours a night), but when they are down they get more sleep than normal people do(10-12 hours a night easy).

I liked this link which had a lot of good information.

http://www.ahealth yme.com/topic/topic50878

OBSESS IVE-COMPULSIVE DISORDER- Though we are all a little OCD some people have it interfere with their life and things they have to do, like sleep. If this is the case it is a disorder. The obsessive thoughts get in the way of sleep, even if the person with them thinks that the thoughts are silly.

If you're being bombarded with compulsive obsessions like getting up and checking the dials on the gas stove three or four times a night or checking the locks on the door over and over then you're probably missing much needed sleep.

For additional information go to this link.

http://en.wikipedia.org/w iki/Obsessive-compulsive_disor der

The three mental illnesses I mentioned are a few that cause sleep deprivation. Most can be treated with medication and helped by seeing a psychiatrist. Don't put it off if you think it can help you. Good luck with your search.

Learn more about this author, Samantha Overmyer.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

Add your voice

Know something about The connection between sleep deprivation and mental illness?
We want to hear your view. Write now!