fbpx

Sleeping tablets for Mental Health Patient

By: Dr. Malvika Chawla

Introduction

Sleep is essential for mental health. It regulates many vital functions including development, energy conservation, brain waste clearance, modulation of immune responses, cognition, performance, vigilance, disease, and psychological state. Insufficient sleep can many chronic health problems, including heart disease, high blood pressure, kidney disease, diabetes, obesity, stroke, and depression. Sleep interventions, such as implementing appropriate sleep hygiene practices, engaging in relaxation techniques, and seeking professional help, can play a vital role in managing mental health conditions more effectively. It is important for individuals experiencing mental health challenges to prioritize good sleep habits and seek professional help when needed.

Increasingly, younger generations are experiencing mental health challenges such as insomnia, sadness, anxiety, and other psychological issues once predominantly associated with older adults. Factors such as heightened stress from academic, career, and societal pressures, coupled with the pervasive influence of technology and social media, contribute to disrupted sleep patterns and emotional distress among the youth. Lifestyle changes, including irregular sleep schedules and unhealthy habits, also play a role in deteriorating mental health. Older as well as younger individuals must prioritize their mental health by practicing self-care, seeking support, and fostering meaningful connections to mitigate the impact of these challenges on their overall health.

What is anxiety and sleeplessness?

Anxiety and sleeplessness are closely linked illnesses that frequently occur together. Anxiety is a psychological state marked by an excessive sense of worry, fear, or unease. It can manifest as physical symptoms such as increased heart rate, sweating, trembling, and difficulty concentrating. Anxiety can vary in severity, from mild to severe, including generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, or particular phobias. Conversely, sleeplessness, also known as insomnia, is a sleep condition characterized by difficulties in initiating sleep, maintaining sleep, or experiencing unsatisfactory sleep quality. This includes trouble falling asleep (initiating sleep), staying asleep (maintaining sleep), or experiencing restorative sleep quality. Insomnia can lead to daytime fatigue, irritability, difficulty concentrating, and overall impairment in daily functioning. It can be acute, lasting for a short period, or chronic, persisting for several months or longer. Various factors can contribute to insomnia, including stress, anxiety, depression, poor sleep habits, medical conditions, and certain medications.

Anxiety and sleeplessness commonly coexist, with one illness mutually affecting and intensifying the other. Anxiety can impair sleep, resulting in insomnia characterized by delayed sleep onset and frequent nocturnal awakenings. This can lead to a perpetual cycle of insomnia, heightened anxiety, and more disturbances in sleep. On the other hand, insomnia can heighten anxiety levels as individuals grow progressively concerned about their sleep capacity and its effects on their daily performance.

The correlation between anxiety and sleeplessness is intricate and diverse. Anxiety can exacerbate insomnia by intensifying the physiological and psychological arousal that hinders the ability to fall asleep and stay asleep. Furthermore, the presence of anxiety-induced thoughts and concerns might preoccupy the mind, impeding the ability to unwind and achieve sleep. Conversely, insomnia, which is characterized by ongoing sleep disruptions, can heighten an individual’s vulnerability to anxiety by hindering their ability to regulate emotions and intensifying preexisting anxiety symptoms. Anxiety and sleeplessness may have profound effects on a person’s general health and ability to operate on a daily basis.

Understanding sleep cycle

The sleep cycle pertains to the sequence of sleep phases that our body experiences during a night’s sleep. A sleep cycle normally spans 90 to 120 minutes and consists of two primary sleep stages: rapid eye movement (REM) sleep and non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep.

During NREM sleep, which constitutes the majority of the sleep cycle, our body progresses through three distinct stages: N1, N2, and N3. N1 is the transitional phase between awake and sleep, distinguished by the presence of slower brain waves. During stage N2 of sleep, there is a further decrease in brain wave activity, and sleep spindles and K-complexes begin to occur. N3 is the stage of deep sleep characterized by the presence of slow delta waves in the brain. It is during this stage that our body undergoes repair and regeneration.

REM sleep often follows the NREM stages and is distinguished by rapid eye movement, vivid dreams, and active brain waves that mirror the experience of being awake. This period is crucial for cognitive functioning, the storage of memory, and the regulation of emotions. During the course of the night, human sleep is divided into several cycles, usually consisting of four to six cycles. The length of each sleep stage within a cycle can vary, with N3 sleep being more common in the first cycles and REM sleep becoming more noticeable towards the end of the night.

The sleep cycle can be influenced by several factors, including age, individual sleep patterns, and environmental conditions. Disturbances in the sleep cycle, such as frequent arousals or inadequate duration of specific sleep phases, can affect the overall sleep quality and lead to sleep disorders. Gaining comprehension of the sleep cycle and its diverse stages is crucial for sustaining optimal sleep habits and managing sleep-related concerns.

Understanding mental health and sleep disorders

Sleep disorders exert a substantial influence on mental health. Research has demonstrated that sleep disturbances can arise from and also contribute to mental health conditions, including anxiety, depression, and major depressive disorder. Individuals with severe depressive illness frequently experience disrupted sleep, which can potentially trigger or exacerbate mental health issues. Insomnia has been associated with mood, anxiety, and psychotic disorders and may contribute as a risk factor, coexisting illness, and indicator of disturbed neuroplasticity in various mental disorders.

Patients suffering from mental diseases often have sleep disruptions such as insomnia, hypersomnolence, and circadian cycle shift. These sleep symptoms serve as diagnostic criteria for several mental disorders. The occurrence of disrupted sleep is strongly linked to mental diseases, and changes in sleep patterns have been seen in individuals suffering from depression. Depression and anxiety were observed to be linked to inadequate sleep quality in patients treated for cardiovascular illnesses. Adolescents with mental health illnesses commonly have sleep problems, such as insomnia, delayed sleep-wake-phase disruption, and poor sleep efficiency. Sleep disorders, including narcolepsy, sleep breathing problems, periodic limb movement syndrome/restless leg syndrome, circadian rhythm disorder, and parasomnia, are frequently observed in mental patients. The strong correlation between disrupted sleep and mental disorders has been acknowledged since ancient times, and the examination of sleep patterns in persons with mental illnesses has the capacity to offer a vital understanding of the underlying mechanisms of these ailments.

How to overcome anxiety and sleeplessness?

Overcoming anxiety and sleeplessness often requires a multifaceted approach that combines lifestyle changes, relaxation techniques, cognitive-behavioral strategies, and sometimes professional intervention. Here are some tips that may help:

Medicine for anxiety and insomnia

The quality of sleep might be enhanced with sleeping medications. Formulations of tablets incorporating diverse constituents such as lily bulbs, gamma-aminobutyric acid, tea leaf theanine, spearmint extract, and other ancillary substances have been prepared with the aim of enhancing sleep quality and alleviating the mood of patients afflicted with dyssomnia. Chewable tablets, including substances such as dehydrated goat foetus, black beans, longan aril, fried Spina date seed, and dried lotus seed, have been discovered to strengthen the liver and kidneys, nourish the heart, soothe the nerves, and boost the body’s immune system, thus enhancing the quality of sleep. Studies have demonstrated that tablet devices equipped with superior blue-light reduction technology can effectively alleviate eye tiredness and dryness, promote drowsiness, and ameliorate symptoms associated with dry eyes and eye fatigue. Buccal pills containing concentrated juices of surinam cherry, grape seed, and picrorhizae, together with cordyceps powder, seabuckthorn, and menthol, have been created with the purpose of nourishing brain cells, enhancing brain blood-oxygen exchange, and improving sleep quality.

Herbal components play a significant role in the formulation of sleeping tablets aimed at addressing sleep disorders and promoting mental health. Studies have found that traditional herbal medicine (THM) has also been found to be effective in improving sleep quality in cancer patients with insomnia. Additionally, various medicinal plants, such as Ziziphus jujuba Mill., have shown improvements in sleep parameters and have been identified as potential alternatives for insomnia treatment. Shumian capsule, a Chinese herbal medicine, has been found to improve sleep quality and reduce depression and anxiety in insomnia patients.

 

 

 Why Deshrakshak’s Nidrayani?

“Nidayani,” –   sleeping tablets for mental health patients by Deshrakshak Aushdhalaya is a combination of potent herbal components. This includes Sarpgandha Ext., Ajwain Khurasani Ext., Brahmi, Shankh Pushpi, Vach Bitter, Jatamansi, Kay Phal, Kooth, Mal Kangni, Vijaya Seeds, Mukta Shukti Bhasma, Abhark Bhasma, Loh Bhasma, Ras Sindoor, and Saffron, and are meticulously formulated to address sleep disorders and promote mental health holistically. The incorporation of these herbal ingredients into sleeping tablets offers a holistic approach to managing sleep disorders while promoting mental health. This comprehensive blend manages insomnia, anxiety, and hypertension and helps to counter stress and improve mood. By incorporating these herbal remedies into a single tablet, “Nidayani” offers a convenient and synergistic approach to managing sleep disturbances, promoting relaxation, and supporting overall mental wellness.

Herbal Component Properties and Benefits
Sarpgandha Calming properties; regulates neurotransmitters to induce sleep and reduce anxiety.
Ajwain Khurasani Provides sedative effects, particularly beneficial for calming nervousness and restlessness.
Brahmi Renowned for cognitive enhancement; aids in stress reduction and improved sleep quality.
Shankh Pushpi Nervine tonic properties facilitate relaxation.
Vach Bitter Acts as a tranquilizer, easing racing thoughts at bedtime.
Jatamansi Mood-stabilizing qualities combat anxiety-induced insomnia.
Kay Phal Supports sleep onset and maintenance, crucial for individuals struggling with sleep disturbances.
Kooth Relaxant effects alleviate stress-related sleep issues.
Mal Kangni Adaptogenic properties support overall relaxation and vitality, complementing the actions of other herbal components.
Vijaya Seeds Interacts with the endocannabinoid system, influencing sleep regulation.
Mukta Shukti Bhasma Contains minerals supporting nervous system function, enhancing the efficacy of herbal remedies.
Saffron Antidepressant and anxiolytic properties contribute to relaxation and improved sleep quality.

 

Conclusion

The intricate relationship between mental health and sleep is undeniable, with each significantly impacting the other. Insufficient sleep not only exacerbates mental health disorders but also hinders the brain’s ability to adapt and function properly. Anxiety and sleeplessness often coexist, forming a cyclical pattern that can be challenging to break. Understanding the sleep cycle and the influence of various factors on sleep quality is essential for effectively managing sleep-related concerns. Moreover, recognizing the profound effects of sleep disorders on mental health highlights the importance of addressing both aspects comprehensively. Various approaches, including lifestyle changes, relaxation techniques, and cognitive-behavioral strategies, can help alleviate anxiety and sleeplessness. Additionally, herbal supplements, such as those found in Deshrakshak Aushdhalaya’s “Nidayani,” offer a holistic approach to improving sleep quality and promoting mental health. It is crucial to prioritize sleep as a fundamental component of mental health maintenance, fostering a healthier and more balanced lifestyle for individuals facing these challenges.

Note: To address any sleep-related difficulties or obtain further information, it is advisable to seek guidance from a healthcare practitioner or an expert in sleep medicine.

References

Aditi, Hombali., Esmond, Seow., Qi, Yuan., Shi, Hui, Sherilyn, Chang., Pratika, Satghare., Sunita, Kumar., Swapna, Verma., Yee, Ming, Mok., Siow, Ann, Chong., Mythily, Subramaniam. (2019). Prevalence and correlates of sleep disorder symptoms in psychiatric disorders.. Psychiatry Research-neuroimaging, 279:116-122. doi: 10.1016/J.PSYCHRES.2018.07.009

Mari, Hysing., Ove, Heradstveit., Ove, Heradstveit., Allison, G., Harvey., Sondre, Aasen, Nilsen., Tormod, Bøe., Tormod, Bøe., Børge, Sivertsen., Børge, Sivertsen. (2020). Sleep problems among adolescents within child and adolescent mental health services. An epidemiological study with registry linkage.. European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 1-11. doi: 10.1007/S00787-020-01676-4

Thomas, Pollmächer. (2022). Sleep and Mental Disorders. European psychiatry, 65(S1):S4-S4. doi: 10.1192/j.eurpsy.2022.41

Zahra, Sepehrmanesh., Alireza, Moraveji., F., Kalantar, mehrjardi. (2023). The relationship between mental health and sleep quality in students of Kashan University of Medical Sciences in the academic year of 1994-93. Occupational Medicine,  doi: 10.18502/tkj.v14i4.12312

Recent Posts

Open WhatsApp
Scan the code
Deshrakshak Customer Support
Hello, please WhatsApp us for any queries/assistance.