Sleep Deprivation Psychosis

Sleep Deprivation Psychosis

By Madison Gesualdo

Remember that episode of Law and Order: Special Victims Unit where Sarah Hyland gave us an Oscar-worthy performance as a genius prep school student, Jennifer Banks, who attacked her roommate because of their academic rivalry? During the trial, the defense was able to prove diminished capacity on Jennifer’s behalf, meaning that Jennifer’s impaired mental state at the time of the crime prevented her from fully controlling her violent actions. Jennifer, who had been taking a form of modafinil that allowed her to stay awake for six consecutive days before she committed her crime, was suffering from sleep deprivation psychosis. Because the defense was able to prove this, she was able to plead guilty to her crime on a lesser charge and was only sentenced to seven years in prison at the conclusion of the episode.

Let’s talk about sleep deprivation psychosis from a clinical standpoint. On the show, it is mentioned that being awake for 17 hours is similar to having a blood-alcohol content (BAC) of 0.05% – that’s legally impaired in the state of Utah, even though the federal limit is 0.08%. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health corroborates this finding, adding that being awake for 24 hours is the equivalent of having a BAC of 0.10%. Now, imagine Jennifer’s psychological state after being awake for 144 hours without a minute of sleep, running off of a stimulant drug designed to block dopamine receptors and consequently increase the body’s overall levels of dopamine. It’s no wonder that her memory of the encounter with her roommate was hazy at best.

According to a 2018 study published in Frontiers in Psychiatry, sleep-loss developments such as hallucinations and perceptual distortions can occur in individuals with no history whatsoever of psychiatric issues. This study essentially found that the more time a person spends awake, the more he or she will progress towards a state of psychosis. Symptoms such as anxiety, disorientation, and depersonalization began after 24 – 48 hours without sleep, evolving into disordered thinking and complex hallucinations after 48 – 90 hours without sleep. Once a person reached the 72 hour-mark without sleep, the study claimed, his or her psychological state resembled that of toxic delirium or acute psychosis.

If an individual is experiencing insomnia, anxiety, depression, or any other conditions that can lead to a deficiency in proper sleep, he or she should seek help immediately. A wide variety of intervention methods and medications are available to help gradually regulate an individual’s sleep-wake cycle and prevent cognitive impairment resulting from sleep deprivation. Make sure to speak with a mental health professional to see what options are available to you.

If you or someone you know is struggling with sleep, anxiety, or mental health, please contact our psychotherapy offices in New York or New Jersey to talk to one of our licensed professional psychologists, psychiatrists, psychiatric nurse practitioners, or psychotherapists at Arista Counseling & Psychotherapy. Contact our Paramus, NJ or Manhattan, NY offices respectively, at (201) 368-3700 or (212) 722-1920 to set up an appointment. For more information, please visit https://aristapsychiatrypsychotherapy.com/

References:

Davis, C. (Writer). (2009). Hothouse (Season 10, Episode 12). [TV series episode]. In D. Wolf (Executive producer), Law & order: Special victims unit. Hulu. https://hulu.com

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (2020, March 31). Impairments due to sleep deprivation are similar to impairments due to alcohol intoxication. U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/work-hour-training-for-nurses/longhours/mod3/08.html#print

Waters, F., Chiu, V., Atkinson, A., & Blom, J.D. (2018). Severe sleep deprivation causes hallucinations and a gradual progression toward psychosis with increasing time awake. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 9, 303. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2018.00303

Insomnia: Effect on Workplace Productivity

Insomnia: Effect on Workplace Productivity

By Madison Gesualdo

It’s barely 1 P.M. during the work day and you’re already dozing off at your desk, wondering how on Earth you’ll stay awake for the next few hours. To any observer, you might appear as yet another lazy employee “sleeping on the job.” However, no one knows about the preceding circumstances leading up to your lapse in energy, and no one except you knows about the tossing and turning you experienced the night before that, ultimately, led to yet another sleepless night.

Insomnia is a sleep disorder in which an individual has difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep. The disorder becomes chronic when these habits persist, becoming a regular pattern in the individual’s daily life. According to a 2024 survey conducted by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, roughly 12% of adults in the United States self-reported being diagnosed with chronic insomnia. This statistic does not account for any currently undiagnosed cases of chronic insomnia in the United States, or for diagnosed cases that survey participants chose not to self-report. While one might speculate that a sleepless night resulting from insomnia may just cause general drowsiness and prompt a few yawns the following day, the effects of insomnia, specifically on workplace productivity, far exceed this assumption.

Insomnia can cause a severe deficit in workplace productivity, with sleep deprivation yielding a significant decline in job performance. Individuals who suffer from chronic insomnia report experiencing impaired thinking, emotional emptiness, and slowed physical reactions during their workday, as well as extreme fatigue that causes delays and errors in work assignments and tasks.

A wide range of resources are available to treat insomnia. Some of these include:

  • Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): Can help reduce anxiety about not being able to sleep
  • Relaxation/meditation therapy: Can help train you to relax your body and fall asleep more easily
  • Stimulus control therapy: Can help regulate your sleep-wake cycle and eliminate potential distractions encountered when falling asleep
  • Medication: Prescription medications, such as benzodiazepines, can help sedate the central nervous system and relax the body, making it easier to fall asleep

If you or someone you know is struggling with insomnia or trouble sleeping, please contact our psychotherapy offices in New York or New Jersey to talk to one of our licensed professional psychologists, psychiatrists, psychiatric nurse practitioners, or psychotherapists at Arista Counseling & Psychotherapy. Contact our Paramus, NJ or Manhattan, NY offices respectively, at (201) 368-3700 or (212) 722-1920 to set up an appointment. For more information, please visit http://www.counselingpsychotherapynjny.com/

References:

American Academy of Sleep Medicine. (n.d.) Survey shows 12% of Americans have been diagnosed with insomnia. American Academy of Sleep Medicine. https://aasm.org/survey-shows-12-of-americans-have-been-diagnosed-with-chronic-insomnia/#:~:text=Survey%20shows%2012%25%20of%20Americans%20have%20been%20diagnosed%20with%20chronic%20insomnia

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. (n.d.) Insomnia: Treatment. National Institute of Health. https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/insomnia/treatment

Newsom, R. & Wright, H. (2023, November 3). The link between sleep and job performance. Sleep Foundation. https://www.sleepfoundation.org/sleep-hygiene/good-sleep-and-job-performance

REM Sleep: The Consequences of Disrupting your Sleep Pattern

REM Sleep: The Consequences of Disrupting your Sleep Pattern

By, Maro Mikhaeil

Believe it or not, lack of sleep affects you more than just feeling groggy the next day. In fact, sleep plays an important role when it comes to brain function. Your brain needs the time to rest and prepare for the next day.

There are four stages of sleep: the first three stages are called NREM which stands for non-rapid eye movement and the fourth and final stage is called REM, which stands for rapid eye movement. These stages of sleep cycle multiple times throughout the night. They each last between 90-120 minutes. REM sleep is the deepest stage of sleep and where you might start to experience dreaming.

What people might not realize is that REM sleep is the stage of sleep where memories from the events that happened the previous day are forming and being engraved in your brain. Think of your brain as this filing cabinet where sleep would be the best time for your brain to start sorting all these memories. Even emotions and emotional memories are processed in REM sleep. Making sure you have adequate sleep helps with learning and being able to recall what you just learned. So next time, if you feel like neglecting sleep, think again!

If you or someone you know is struggling with sleeplessness, or mental health, please contact our psychotherapy offices in New Jersey to talk to one of our licensed professional psychologists, psychiatrists, psychiatric nurse practitioners, or psychotherapists at Arista Counseling & Psychotherapy. Contact our offices at (201) 368-3700 or (212) 722-1920 to set up an appointment. For more information, please visit http://www.counselingpsychotherapynjny.com/

Sources:

https://www.sleepstation.org.uk/articles/sleep-science/rem-sleep

Insomnia: What can cause Insomnia?

Insomnia: What can cause Insomnia?

By, Maro Mikhaeil

Insomnia is a sleep disorder that is characterized by trouble falling or staying asleep. According to the Cleveland Clinic, around one in three adults worldwide suffer from insomnia symptoms. Sleeplessness can be classified into two categories: acute and chronic. Additionally, insomnia may be a sign of a number of mental health issues or even medical conditions. There are several factors that might cause insomnia, including genetic makeup, stress, anxiety, caffeine, alcohol, and more.

Stress, whether it is from your job or school, may keep you from falling asleep. Given that anxiety causes a lot of worry, it can also interfere with your ability to sleep. Caffeine can cause insomnia because it blocks the adenosine receptor, preventing sleepiness and disrupting your sleep pattern. Additionally, studies have shown that alcohol consumption can adversely affect REM sleep, which is necessary for consistently getting high-quality sleep. Lastly, maintaining good sleep hygiene is essential since poor sleeping patterns can eventually lead to insomnia.

If you or someone you know is struggling with insomnia or mental health, please contact our psychotherapy offices in New York or New Jersey to talk to one of our licensed professional psychologists, psychiatrists, psychiatric nurse practitioners, or psychotherapists at Arista Counseling & Psychotherapy. Contact our Paramus, NJ or Manhattan, NY offices respectively, at (201) 368-3700 or (212) 722-1920 to set up an appointment. For more information, please visit http://www.counselingpsychotherapynjny.com/

Sources:

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/12119-insomnia

https://www.piedmont.org/living-real-change/how-does-alcohol-affect-your-sleep#:~:text=The%20biggest%20problem%20that%20alcohol,vivid%20dreams%2C%E2%80%9D%20says%20Dr.

https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/mental-health/insomnia%20-%20causes

Insomnia & The Digital Age  

Insomnia & The Digital Age  By: Nicole Sanchez

Insomnia is a sleep disorder in which one may find it difficult to fall asleep, stay asleep, or both, even if one has ample time for restful sleep. With insomnia one may experience disruptions that impair the quality of one’s sleep which in turn may cause sleepiness during the day. Short term insomnia, may occur as a result of stress or may be due to certain changes in one’s schedule or environment. Short term insomnia can last for a few days or weeks. Chronic or long-term insomnia occurs at least 3 nights a week, persists longer than 3 months, and does not have another health issue that could be a root cause. Furthermore, due to technological advancements and the rise in media, there has been a particular increase in insomnia among individuals. Digital activity, especially increased screen time, disturbs a person’s sleep quality because screens emit blue light which suppress the production of melatonin, a hormone that induces sleepiness. Viewing overstimulating content before bedtime also makes it more difficult to fall asleep, thus, reducing the time that’s usually reserved for sleep.   

Chronic insomnia affects around 15 to 35 percent of adults, so it’s critical to focus on reducing the symptoms and allowing individuals to improve their sleep quality. Researchers believe cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) to be the most successful initial treatment for chronic insomnia. Through CBT-I individuals learn to reconstruct the feelings, thoughts and behaviors that are causing insomnia. Hypnotherapy is a method that can be used to help those suffering with insomnia as it helps to induce sleep and places individuals into a relaxed, trance-like state so they can let go of any anxiety.

If you or someone you know is having mental health difficulties and/ or insomnia, please contact our psychotherapy offices in New Jersey to talk to one of our licensed professional psychologists, psychiatrists, psychiatric nurse practitioners, or psychotherapists at Arista Counseling & Psychotherapy. Contact our offices at (201) 368-3700 or (212) 722-1920 to set up an appointment. For more information, please visit http://www.counselingpsychotherapynjny.com/

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/insomnia/symptoms-causes/syc-20355167

https://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/insomnia-symptoms-and-causes

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/12119-insomnia

Hypnotherapy: What is it?

Hypnotherapy: What is it?

By Emily Ferrer

Hypnotherapy helps clients gain control over unfavorable behaviors, cope with anxiety or pain, or alter their ideas about a certain idea or image. Hypnosis involves a trained psychologist and entails placing the patient into a trance-like state that can make you feel extremely calm, focused, and open to suggestions[1]. Over many years, hypnosis has been found to help many people with issues such as pain control, chemotherapy, hot flashes, behavioral changes, anxiety, depression, sleep disturbances, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), addiction, weight loss, and more[2]! In fact, a study done in 1970 found that hypnotherapy has a 93% success rate in less sessions compared to other forms of therapy[3]. The average amount of hypnotherapy sessions needed to see results can be as little as 4 and as much as 15[4]. This is much less than the average number of sessions needed for other forms of therapy, which are usually around 20 or more until you start to see results[5].

You are probably curious what exactly to expect in a hypnotherapy session and how to prepare. There is no preparation needed on your end before your first hypnotherapy session other than an open mind and a willingness to change your behaviors or ideas. The first session will usually not involve any hypnotism, however, the therapist may use this session as an opportunity to get to know you, the problems you are facing, and what you want to change. The second session is usually when your hypnotherapy begins. Your therapist will always explain the process to you and begin by talking in a soothing and gentle voice. The therapist may also start to describe very vivid images to you to create a sense of relaxation and security. Once you are in a relaxed state, your therapist may begin suggesting ways to work towards your goal that you wanted to work on, such as fear, pain, addiction, anxiety, sleep disturbances, etc. This will help you visualize your path to success and believe in your ability to accomplish your goals[6]. Eventually, your therapist will guide you out of your state of relaxation and the hypnosis session will end. Hypnosis can be extremely helpful to those it does work for but suicide/suicidal thoughts is not guaranteed.

If you or someone you know is interested in trying hypnotherapy, please contact our psychotherapy offices in New York or New Jersey to talk to one of our licensed professional psychologists, psychiatrists, psychiatric nurse practitioners, or psychotherapists certified in hypnotherapy at Arista Counseling & Psychotherapy. Contact our Paramus, NJ or Manhattan, NY offices respectively, at (201) 368-3700 or (212) 722-1920 to set up an appointment. For more information, please visit http://www.counselingpsychotherapynjny.com/ .


Sources:

[1] https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/hypnosis/about/pac-20394405#:~:text=Hypnosis%2C%20also%20referred%20to%20as,verbal%20repetition%20and%20mental%20images.

[2] https://www.pennmedicine.org/updates/blogs/health-and-wellness/2019/january/hypnosis

[3] Barrios, A. A. (1970). Hypnotherapy: A reappraisal. Psychotherapy: Theory, Research & Practice, 7(1), 2–7. https://doi.org/10.1037/h0086544

[4] https://thehypnosisclinic.com/blog/how-many-sessions-do-i-need/

https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/cognitive-behavioral-therapy/about/pac-20384610#:~:text=Length%20of%20therapy,Type%20of%20disorder%20or%20situation

[6] https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/hypnosis/about/pac-20394405#:~:text=Hypnosis%2C%20also%20referred%20to%20as,verbal%20repetition%20and%20mental%20images.

Parasomnia: Nightmares in Adults

Parasomnia: Nightmares in Adults

By Lynette Rivas

Nightmares are supposed to diminish as you grow up, right? While this is true for most of the population, it is not the case for some individuals. Research shows that between 2% and 8% of the adult population experiences frequent and distressing nightmares, otherwise known as parasomnia.

Nightmares are realistic and vividly disturbing dreams that awaken you from sleep. They most often occur during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, which is when most dreaming takes place, and occur closer to morning hours. Nightmares may include:

  • Vivid and upsetting dreams
  • Dreams involving threats to safety
  • Being awoken from the dream
  • Feeling anxious, scared, or sad as a result from the dream
  • Not being able to fall back to sleep due to the dream

For adults, nightmares are often spontaneous, but for some, there may be an underlying issue that can be used to explain these dreams. Nightmares can be triggered by stress, trauma, sleep deprivation, substance abuse, medications, or by simply watching a scary movie. Although nightmares occur occasionally compared to normal dreams, they are considered a disorder if they:

  • Occur frequently
  • Cause major distress throughout the day, such as anxiety or fear
  • Cause problems with concentration or memory
  • Cause daytime sleepiness

If these symptoms are occurring, then it is time to consult a doctor about possible treatments. The doctor will determine if the solution is through treatments and medication, or will give a referral to a psychologist or psychotherapist. Debilitating and frequent nightmares, or parasomnia, is a serious condition that can alter an individual’s life, so it is important to seek help if they occur.

If you or someone you know is experiencing debilitating/frequent nightmares please contact our psychotherapy offices in New York or New Jersey to talk to one of our licensed professional psychologists, psychiatrists, psychiatric nurse practitioners, or psychotherapists at Arista Counseling & Psychotherapy. Contact our Paramus, NJ or Manhattan, NY offices respectively at (201) 368-3700 or (212) 722-1920 to set up an appointment. For more information, please visit https://www.counselingpsychotherapynjny.com/

Sources:

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/nightmare-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20353515

https://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/nightmares-in-adults#:~:text=Nightmares%20in%20adults%20can%20be,to%20have%20the%20condition%20themselves.

https://iconscout.com/illustration/nocturnal-panic-attack-5222908

Insomnia: How Depression Is Related to Insomnia

By Kim Simone

Symptoms of insomnia occur in approximately 33% to 50% of the adult population and undoubtedly affect a variety of areas of an individual’s life. In addition to a complaint of dissatisfaction with sleep quality or quantity, individuals may have difficulty falling asleep, difficulty maintaining sleep, and early-morning awakening with an inability to fall back to sleep. These difficulties may occur at least 3 nights per week and be present for at least 3 months.

Oftentimes, these sleep disturbances affect various parts of an individual’s daily life. As a result of poor sleep, individuals struggling with insomnia may display difficulties behaviorally, socially, academically.

Those struggling with depression oftentimes present with symptoms of insomnia, as the condition may influence their quality and/or quantity of sleep. Depressive symptoms often influence an individual’s quality of sleep and how much they sleep.

On the contrary, those struggling with insomnia oftentimes present with symptoms of depression. Since feelings of depression may cause individuals to lose interest in their daily activities and withdraw from those closest to them, therapy is often the treatment of choice to alleviate the depressive symptoms that result from a lack of quality and quantity of sleep.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy can be useful in the treatment of insomnia. CBT-I is a form of CBT specifically aimed in treating the sleep condition. It concentrates on the specific thoughts and behaviors that disrupt sleep and helps in reframing the negative thoughts that may be associated with concepts related to sleep, such as “bed” and “sleep”.  As a result of CBT, anxieties related to sleep may be lessened, therefore, lessening the prevalence of insomnia.  

Sufferers of insomnia may need to speak to their therapist weekly over the course of two to three months to see an improvement in the quality and quantity of their sleep. As a result, symptoms of depression may be lessened, which may further improve the quality and quantity of their sleep.

If you or someone you know is struggling with insomnia and is seeking therapy, please contact our psychotherapy offices in New York or New Jersey to talk to one of our licensed professional psychologists, psychiatrists, psychiatric nurse practitioners, or psychotherapists at Arista Counseling & Psychotherapy. Contact our Paramus, NJ or Manhattan, NY offices respectively, at (201) 368-3700 or (212) 722-1920 to set up an appointment. For more information, please visit http://www.counselingpsychotherapynjny.com/

Sources:

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/12119-insomnia#:~:text=They%20affect%20up%20to%2070,at%2010%25%20to%2015%25.

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/conditions/insomnia

Image Source:

Night Terrors: Terror Filled Sleep for Children

Unlike nightmares, night terrors are consistent episodes of intense screaming, crying, trashing, or fear during sleep. These episodes are reoccurring and usually occur in children between the ages of 3-12. About 1 to 6 in 100 children have night terrors, which occur in both boys and girls and children of all races. Night terrors are very rare, occur 3-6% in children, and typically tend to run in families. About 80% of children have a family member who experiences the same thing.

How are night terrors different from nightmares?

  • Nightmares commonly occur during REM sleep, while night terrors do not and will occur during non-REM sleep. You might find that it is hard to wake your child during a night terror episode and they will most likely not remember what occurred the next morning.

Signs & Symptoms:

  • Fast heart rate
  • Fast breathing
  • Sweating
  • Dilated pupils
  • Flailing around in bed
  • Screaming
  • Looks awake but confused
  • Not talking
  • Non-responsive
  • Cannot recognize that a parent is there
  • Acts upset or scared

What causes Night Terrors?

Night terrors are caused by an over-arousal of the central nervous system during sleep. The following factors have been noted in children who have experienced night terrors:

  • Overtired, ill, or stressed
  • Taking new medicine
  • Sleeping in a new environment
  • Not getting enough sleep
  • Having too much caffeine

How can you help your child?

The best way to help your child is to wait it out and make sure they do not get hurt during the night terror episode. Also, it is important to note that it is best to not wake your child during the episode. Waking them during this episode can cause more disorientation and confusion. However, you can help prevent future night terrors by:

  • Reducing the child’s stress
  • Create a bedtime routine that is relaxing and simple
  • Make sure the child gets enough sleep
  • Do not let your child stay up too late

If night terrors occur repeatedly, talk to your child’s doctor to see if further evaluations and/or referrals are needed.

If you are someone you know appears to be suffering from issues linked to night terrors, please contact our psychotherapy offices in New York or New Jersey to talk to one of our licensed professional psychologists, psychiatrists, psychiatric nurse practitioners, or psychotherapists at Arista Counseling & Psychotherapy. Contact our Paramus, NJ or Manhattan, NY offices respectively, at (201)368-3700 or (212)722-1920 to set up an appointment. For more information, please visit http://www.counselingpsychotherapynjny.com/.

Sources: https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/terrors.html

https://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/night-terrors

Image: https://www.alaskasleep.com/blog/night-terrors-vs-nightmares-how-to-help-terrified-child

Laziness: The Harmful Effects of the Term “Lazy” on Mental Health

By: Rebecca Fernandez

               “Lazy” is a common uncomplimentary term in modern vocabulary for when someone is unproductive. Think back to a time a group member failed to pull their weight in a group project, or a time someone procrastinated severely, leaving everything for the last minute and creating a poor final product. Consider even a time where you witnessed someone who, by early afternoon, was seemingly unable to bring themselves to get out of bed to start the day.

Whether it was yourself or someone else that you imagined, it’s easy to write off everyone in those examples as lazy. However, there’s a major issue with doing that – “laziness” is often not the cause of these situations. Rather, many mental health conditions can create issues that simulate behaviors identical to laziness.

Take, for example, disorders such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), depression and other mood disorders, insomnia and other sleep disorders, and anxiety disorders including obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). Each of these conditions can negatively impact a person’s ability to be productive, making them appear lazy. People with ADHD can often find themselves imagining all of the tasks they could be engaging in at once and becoming so overwhelmed they feel almost paralyzed. People with depression and other mood disorders often lack the mental energy to accomplish anything. Similarly, people with insomnia and other sleep disorders often lack the physical energy to accomplish anything. People with GAD may have a crippling fear that they won’t be good enough at something, preventing them from attempting to do the task in question. People with OCD may have a crippling (rational or irrational) fear that something bad will happen if they do specific things, preventing them from doing those things.

               All of these explanations are generalized and therefore may not apply to everyone with each listed disorder, or be the only applicable factor for each disorder’s effect on laziness. However, if you or someone you know has been consistently labeled as lazy, remember that “laziness” is often more than how it appears on the surface, and that actively struggling with mental health does not make a person a failure.

If you or someone you know is exhibiting signs of “laziness” as described above that are getting in the way of day-to-day life, please contact our psychotherapy offices in New York or New Jersey to talk to one of our licensed professional psychologists, psychiatrists, psychiatric nurse practitioners, or psychotherapists at Arista Counseling & Psychotherapy. Contact our Paramus, NJ or Manhattan, NY offices respectively, at (201) 368-3700 or (212) 722-1920 to set up an appointment. For more information, please visit http://www.counselingpsychotherapynjny.com/

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/hide-and-seek/201410/the-psychology-laziness