It’s Thrive Week (woohoo!) There have been so many terrific opportunities going on around campus and their website is chalked full of amazing information and resources about how we can take care of ourselves over the coming weeks — which are looking pretty daunting, I must say. So, thanks to everyone who has worked hard to provide so many great things this week and throughout the year!
I don’t know about you guys, but I feel that there is a lot of emphasis on the importance of getting a proper nights sleep in achieving good grades. But what about those who simply can’t get there? Statistics show that 25% of adults suffer from sleep disorders and over 10% of those reach the threshold of insomnia. I’m sure we have all had nights of tossing and turning and know how terrible it feels to try and plug through the next day but for insomniacs this is chronic and dramatically increases chances of anxiety, depression, congenital heart failure and substance abuse.
We need far more awareness about suffering from insomnia and other sleep disorders. Moreover, we need better indicate symptoms and treatments and awareness about the ineffectiveness of many over-the-counter and overly prescribed drugs.
So what does this mean for students suffering with insomnia? It means missed classes, added stress, increased anxiety, disrupted attention and impaired cognitive functioning. It is an everyday battle but no one is alone.
The National Institute of Health emphasizes the use of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy CBT as being highly effective in treating insomnia. It uses psychological and behavioral methods such as relaxation techniques, sleep restriction, stimulus control, and education about sleep-related lifestyle factors such as diet, exercise, and the bedroom environment. There are no adverse side effects, and it has long-lasting benefits, which are both clear advantages compared to drug treatment.
Talk to your doctor or the counsellors here on campus about how to acquire CBT services and about potentially getting a referral to the Sleep Disorders Clinic here at UBC Hospital.
I found some other great articles and resources that can hopefully help you or anyone you know suffering from acute or chronic insomnia.
Treatment of Insomnia – New Developments. By Andrew Krystal M.D
Try and take care of yourselves, MHAC.
Jess