When we experience sleeping difficulties or a lack of sleep, it can have an impact on our mood and daily functioning. Many of us can experience trouble sleeping from time to time, and it is typically due to stress, illness, travel or interruption to our routine. While it is normal to experience difficulties falling asleep or staying asleep occasionally, it is not normal to experience these difficulties on a regular basis. Ongoing sleep problems can have a serious impact on one’s mental and physical health. It may result in memory problems, lack of energy, concentration difficulties, low mood, exhaustion, weight gain and more.

There are a number of different sleep problem or disorders that people can experience, however, the one thing they all have in common is a disruption to restful sleep. A few common sleep disorders are:

• Insomnia: difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, or a combination of both.
• Parasomnias: sleepwalking, sleep terrors (episodes of screaming, intense fear and flailing while still asleep), nightmares.
• Delayed sleep phase disorder: difficulty sleeping until very late at night (e.g. 3 am).
• Sleep apnea: snoring in combination with ceasing to breathe and/or gasping/snorting during sleep.
• Narcolepsy: excessive and uncontrollable daytime sleepiness, which may involve attacks of suddenly falling asleep at inappropriate times.
• Restless Leg Syndrome: unpleasant sensations in the legs and the compelling need to move legs.
• Bruxism: excessive teeth grinding or jaw clenching.

Some sleep problems/disorders are attributable to a medical condition, while others may be due to psychological factors. Psychological therapy around sleep problems can assist with discovering the root of a sleep problem and modifying unwanted sleep patterns. It may involve a focus on changing behaviour, sleep hygiene education (e.g. recommended behavioural and environmental practice), goal setting, increasing self-awareness and learning relaxation skills. It can also help with working through some issues of anxiety, stress, anger and grief which may be impacting on a good night’s sleep.