Sleep problems

When do you have a sleep problem?

You don’t immediately have a sleeping problem if you happen to have slept badly for two nights. You only speak of a sleep problem when you suffer structurally from insomnia and this also affects your daily life negatively.

Not everyone suffers from the same sleep complaints. Perhaps you spend hours staring at the ceiling and do not fall asleep. Another person suddenly falls asleep at random times during the day. Both disrupt sleep quality differently.

If symptoms persist and recur, you may have a sleep disorder.

How do sleep problems arise?

A sleep disorder is usually the instigator of your sleep problem, especially if your symptoms persist. But problems with sleep can also arise from psychological complaints, or pain.

• Sleep problems due to psychological complaints include depression, stress, chronic worrying or an anxiety disorder.
• Sleep problems due to physical complaints are, for example, pain or itching.

Symptoms

The most common characteristics of sleep problems are:

• Difficulty falling asleep or not being able to continue sleeping
• Waking up too early
• Feeling tired and sleepy during the day
• Sleeping at unusual times
• Unusual behavior while sleeping such as sleepwalking, nightmares, teeth grinding
• Less energy
• Difficulty with environmental stimuli

Other characteristics

• Difficulty remembering things
• Not getting into the dream phase, making you more tired the next day
• Being irritable and more emotional
• Little or increased appetite
• You may experience your surroundings more intensely

If these sleep problems persist for more than a few weeks, you may have a sleep disorder that requires treatment. In children, sleep problems can lead to behavioral problems similar to ADHD.

Risks

The main risks and consequences of sleep problems are:

Physical risks

• Reduced immunity and increased risk of disease due to disturbed hormone balance
• Increased risk of cardiovascular disease
• Increased risk of obesity and being overweight

Mental and emotional risks

• Concentration problems and impaired memory
• Irritability, emotional instability and gloominess
• Increased risk of depression
• Social-emotional problems in adolescents

Impaired performance

• Lethargy and lack of energy
• Poorer performance at work or school
• Increased risk of accidents due to decreased alertness

Other risks

• Sleep deprivation in adolescents can lead to suicidal thoughts.
• Sleep problems can lead to a vicious cycle of chronic worrying and insomnia.

Long-term sleep problems increase the risk of both physical and psychological complaints and disorders.

When to seek help?

• If sleep problems persist for more than a few weeks.
• If you feel tired, irritable or sleepy during the day and daily activities are no longer possible.
• If you suffer from concentration problems, decreased interest, irritability, tension complaints or gloominess.
• If self-help to improve your sleep hygiene does not help sufficiently.