Sleep disorders more common after lockdown

WORLD SLEEP DAY

Sleep disorders more common after lockdown

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Coimbatore:17.03.2021 

There is a considerable increase in the number of people facing sleep disorders after the lockdown, psychologists said on the World Sleep Day. They said the lockdown and the work from home routine have disturbed people’s sleep routines and body rhythms. “People are taking daytime naps, spending too much time in front of gadgets or working late into the night. Sleep hygiene has gained more importance this year than ever before,” said one of the psychologists. Psychologists said they were seeing an increase in new patients with anxiety, panic, or depression, many of which first manifest as or cause by sleep issues.

Monika Jasmine, a psychologist with Mounam counselling centre, said, “We have people with depression or anxiety issues, despite having less work. More than 90% describe sleep disorders as one of the symptoms. In more than 80% of depression, anxiety and panic cases, inadequate sleep is one of the main causes.” She was speaking at a function that was organized by the Indian Medical Association at Ganga Nursing College Auditorium on Tuesday.

One of the unhealthy sleep patterns they have noticed was people and children sitting in front of gadgets through the day for work, studies and entertainment. Another psychologist, Lakshmi Priya, said, “We think the resulting blue light and late working hours are affecting people’s sleep. Many people don’t get the required seven to nine of hours of sleep, which includes non-rapid eye movement and rapid eye movement sleep. Both are required for our physiological and psychological functions, repair of muscles and growth of tissues, in addition to process information. We also find people taking long nap because of boredom and that affects their night sleep.”