Sleep Disorders
Sleep disorders have become a common cause of academic difficulty in adolescent and young adult students. This is so apparent on college campuses that many universities and colleges have put "Sleep Hygiene" information on their student websites, to encourage sound sleep in adequate amounts.
See for example, the following:
From Harvard University: https://summer.harvard.edu/blog/why-you-should-make-a-good-nights-sleep-a-priority/
From Stanford University: https://longevity.stanford.edu/lifestyle/2024/01/10/sleep-and-academic-excellence-a-deeper-look/
From Cornell University: https://health.cornell.edu/resources/health-topics/sleep
From the University of Oregon: https://sleepstudy.uoregon.edu/
Clearly, sleep is an important issue for serious students to consider!!
But what do we mean by a "sleep disorder"? There are many, many reasons why a person doesn't get enough restful, restorative sleep.
Some people have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep, which is called "Insomnia". This can have many causes, but may require professional support, in the form of medical consultation and/or counseling, to fully resolve.
Others have trouble with sleeping for more than enough hours, yet waking up still tired and foggy-brained, and feeling sleepy in the middle of the day. This can also have many causes. One common one is breathing-related sleep disorders, that cause people to literally stop breathing while they are asleep. Movement disorders involve a failure of the normal "shutdown" of motor activity during sleep. This can manifest as "restless legs", sleep-walking, sleep-talking, or in a variety of other ways. Problems with sleep cycle can show up in people who have irregular sleeping hours due to changing work schedules or frequent travel over long distances, or who simply have very irregular sleep habits. Seasonal sleep problems can also occur, especially in places that are further from the equator, and therefore, have winters with fewer hours of sunlight and longer nights. Finally, substance use can cause trouble with sleep, also. Alcohol is a major cause of less than restful sleep, affecting literally everyone who enjoys a drink now and then. Regular, heavy drinking can seriously disrupt sleep, causing cognitive changes that CAN become permanent. Prescription medications can affect sleep also -- yet another good reason NEVER to take medications not specifically prescribed FOR YOU!
If you have had some of these problems, or if someone who has slept in the same room with you has suggested you might, please see your doctor! A sleep medicine specialist may be very helpful in determining why your sleep isn't restful, and how to help you get that important part of your health and well-being back in place.
Sleep disorders have become a common cause of academic difficulty in adolescent and young adult students. This is so apparent on college campuses that many universities and colleges have put "Sleep Hygiene" information on their student websites, to encourage sound sleep in adequate amounts.
See for example, the following:
From Harvard University: https://summer.harvard.edu/blog/why-you-should-make-a-good-nights-sleep-a-priority/
From Stanford University: https://longevity.stanford.edu/lifestyle/2024/01/10/sleep-and-academic-excellence-a-deeper-look/
From Cornell University: https://health.cornell.edu/resources/health-topics/sleep
From the University of Oregon: https://sleepstudy.uoregon.edu/
Clearly, sleep is an important issue for serious students to consider!!
But what do we mean by a "sleep disorder"? There are many, many reasons why a person doesn't get enough restful, restorative sleep.
Some people have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep, which is called "Insomnia". This can have many causes, but may require professional support, in the form of medical consultation and/or counseling, to fully resolve.
Others have trouble with sleeping for more than enough hours, yet waking up still tired and foggy-brained, and feeling sleepy in the middle of the day. This can also have many causes. One common one is breathing-related sleep disorders, that cause people to literally stop breathing while they are asleep. Movement disorders involve a failure of the normal "shutdown" of motor activity during sleep. This can manifest as "restless legs", sleep-walking, sleep-talking, or in a variety of other ways. Problems with sleep cycle can show up in people who have irregular sleeping hours due to changing work schedules or frequent travel over long distances, or who simply have very irregular sleep habits. Seasonal sleep problems can also occur, especially in places that are further from the equator, and therefore, have winters with fewer hours of sunlight and longer nights. Finally, substance use can cause trouble with sleep, also. Alcohol is a major cause of less than restful sleep, affecting literally everyone who enjoys a drink now and then. Regular, heavy drinking can seriously disrupt sleep, causing cognitive changes that CAN become permanent. Prescription medications can affect sleep also -- yet another good reason NEVER to take medications not specifically prescribed FOR YOU!
If you have had some of these problems, or if someone who has slept in the same room with you has suggested you might, please see your doctor! A sleep medicine specialist may be very helpful in determining why your sleep isn't restful, and how to help you get that important part of your health and well-being back in place.