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Disordered sleeping
Private treatment, therapy and support in London for disordered sleeping at Schoen Clinic Chelsea
At Schoen Clinic Chelsea, we recognise the significant impact that disordered sleeping patterns can have on your overall wellbeing.
If you are struggling with sleep apnea, insomnia, or other sleep disorders, please know that you are not alone. Disrupted sleep patterns can affect every aspect of your life, from your mental health to your physical wellbeing, professional life, and relationships.
What causes sleep disorders?
Sleep disorders cover a wide range of conditions, so determining a single cause can be difficult. It is known, however, that high levels of stress, depression, anxiety, and conditions such as PTSD can all contribute to poor sleep.
Medical conditions such as sleep apnea or wider medical disorders like arthritis and Parkinson’s disease can also lead to trouble sleeping. Sleeping patterns are highly individual and can be impacted by certain medications such as stimulants and antidepressants, and more natural innate factors such as an individual's circadian rhythm, and sleep hygiene such as using mobile phones and caffeine can impact the quality of sleep. Sometimes it’s simply a poor environment not conducive to sleep such as excessive noise or exposure to bright lights or even a poor quality bed that can cause more life-impacting sleep disorders.
What are the most common symptoms of sleeping disorders?
Each individual has different sleep needs, so when sleeping becomes problematic in life, this can manifest in different ways.
Some symptoms are common, such as difficulty falling or staying asleep, or an inability to get back to sleep. Sleep apnea also affects many, with loud snoring, gasping or pausing during sleep causing issues both for the individual and often for close relationships.
Other issues which can present in individuals who have disordered sleeping can be narcolepsy, characterised by excessive sleepiness during daytime, sudden periods of falling asleep unexpectedly, or restless leg syndrome, causing the urge to continually or impulsively move one's legs, especially at night.
Issues can be made worse or seen more in those who work night shifts or unusual shift patterns, which can cause impaired concentration or parasomnias such as sleepwalking or night terrors can manifest as abnormal behaviours like difficult dreams or limited awareness of the episodes.
Disordered sleeping can show in many ways outside of tiredness, so if you're concerned about your sleeping habits, or are experiencing any of the above, seek medical assistance to determine if a diagnosis for a more serious sleep issue would be relevant.
Our sleep disorder specialists are here to help
We're experts in providing tailored mental health support, understanding the nuances and complexities of your individual needs, and providing tailored solutions to help you achieve restorative and rejuvenating sleep.
If you or a loved one is experiencing challenges with disordered sleeping patterns, we're here to help. Find out more about what causes these issues, and how Schoen Clinic can offer treatment plans so that you can get the sleep your body and your mind need.
If you need help with disordered sleeping, please reach out to our caring team in London today. We have appointments available in as little as 24 hours so you can begin treatment with minimal wait.
To access private treatment as swiftly as possible, simply fill out our online pre-screening questionnaire at any time to suit you.
What are the common types of sleep disorders?
Sleep disorders are complex and often involve more than just a poor night’s sleep. Sometimes they involve an excess of sleep and other symptoms which can severely impact an individual's mental health.
Some of the more common sleeping disorders are:
Insomnia: general difficulty sleeping, or tiredness after having a relatively good amount of sleep
Narcolepsy: unexplained, excessive sleeping
Sleep apnea: blockage of the airways causing loud snoring, gasping while sleeping, and other breathing issues related to sleep
Sleepwalking: somnambulism can put sufferers in real danger when unaware of their actions
Night terrors: not only impact the quality of sleep but can cause overwhelming anxiety
Restless leg syndrome: characterised by an irresistible urge to move the leg, particularly at night
Night shift sleep disorders: when shift work or day sleeping impacts an individual's regular sleeping pattern.
Among many others. Sleep disorders are unique to the individual so if you are experiencing any of these symptoms and their impact on you or a loved one's mental health, get in touch with a healthcare professional - the team at Schoen Clinic are specialists in diagnosis and treatment of sleep disorders.
Getting a diagnosis of a sleep disorder
If you or a loved one has been struggling with their sleep, a medical diagnosis will help get to the bottom of any underlying condition, and help you to get on the right path to a good night’s sleep.
The process might seem daunting, but it's an important first step to help you recover from disordered sleeping. The first step to getting a diagnosis for a sleep-related condition would be to speak to a healthcare professional who specialises in sleep disorders. During a consultation, we'll discuss any symptoms you have, ask about your sleeping patterns, and any other health conditions you might be suffering from.
If your problems are severe or the cause is not immediately obvious, further testing such as a sleep study, or referral for additional testing such as home sleep apnea tests might be recommended.
Getting a diagnosis means the next step can be treatment and ultimately, recovery from your sleep disorders. Our team specialises in evidence-based treatment that can help you live a more restful life.
Treatment for sleep disorders in London
Treatment for sleep disorders will typically involve a combination of therapies, medications, and specialists to create a treatment plan tailored to an individual's personal needs.
CBT is one therapy which can aid with long-term recovery from sleeping disorders, looking at the root causes of the behaviours involved in insomnia. Other useful therapies depending on the severity of the condition include light therapy and chronotherapy, which involve adjusting exposure to different sleeping patterns.
Sometimes medications can aid in sleep. Stimulants can be used to manage conditions like narcolepsy, and medications like anticonvulsants can be used to treat restless leg syndrome. Oftentimes, relatively straightforward changes to sleeping habits such as darkness of the room, ambient sounds, and temperature can play a massive part in an individual's quality of sleep.
The only way to get effective treatment which is suitable for your sleeping disorders is to speak to a medical professional who will create a treatment plan tailored to your needs. Following any consultation and diagnosis of sleeping disorders, your healthcare professional can advise on the best steps forward so that you can get a good night’s sleep and feel more refreshed and relaxed in life.
Recovery from disordered sleeping is possible with help from Schoen Clinic in London
Sleep disorders can significantly impact your overall well-being, daily functioning, and crucial relationships. At Schoen Clinic Chelsea, our dedicated team is devoted to assisting you in addressing and managing these complex sleep-related challenges.
Our expert professionals are here to provide you with an accurate diagnosis and the appropriate medical interventions to alleviate any disruptive sleep patterns you may be experiencing. Whether it involves a combination of medication and therapeutic interventions or other tailored approaches, we are committed to supporting your journey to achieving a restful and rejuvenating sleep.
Embark on the path to recovery from sleep disorders with specialised treatment at Schoen Clinic Chelsea. Connect with our compassionate team at 0203 146 2300 or email us for exceptional private healthcare focused on improving your sleep health.
Frequently Asked Questions | Sleep disorder FAQs
Can sleeping disorders be cured?
While some sleeping disorders can be effectively managed and treated, a complete cure may not be possible, depending on the specific type of sleep disorder you are suffering from.
For example, narcolepsy has no known cure, yet conditions like sleep apnea can be managed markedly better with things like medication, lifestyle changes, and even surgery. Consulting with a healthcare professional and getting a formal diagnosis is the only way to understand the likelihood of a full recovery from your sleeping disorder.
Are sleeping disorders mental illnesses?
Sleeping disorders are sometimes categorised as a type of mental disorder, but they can also manifest in physical and/or medical ways, too. The relationship between sleep and your mental health is complex, and the two can be highly interlinked. Similarly, sleeping disorders can be made worse by physical factors or illnesses, and vice versa.
So while sleep disorders are often considered within the realm of mental health, they are not exclusively mental illnesses. They’re multifaceted and seeking professional help is the best way to accurately diagnose and get treatment for these conditions.
Our specialist counsellors and therapists in sleeping disorders
Our dedicated multidisciplinary team of specialists is committed to your wellbeing and treatment of disordered sleeping. Our psychiatrists, therapists, counsellors, and other healthcare professionals bring decades of experience and expertise in treating a range of mental health conditions. They all provide compassionate care that is tailored to your unique needs. Get in touch today to find out how we can support you.
