Can a Lack of Sleep Cause Psychiatric Disorders?

by Archer 15 Replies latest jw friends

• 

  Archer

  ok where do I start. Last year my mother-in-law (still a witness) fell ill, she seemed at least in begining kind of ok during the day but at night would go nuts, always needing something. My wife is the main person looking after her, I help when I can but my early rising means if I don't get enough of sleep I might as well stay at home or someone can get killed (I work at subway control centre)

  Basically, over all this period my wife hasn't slept on avarage maybe 4-5 hours a night. I think she was holding herself ok but over last couple of months you could see changes in her behavior, its like living with a different person. We argue a lot, then she retreats and just shuts down for days then all of a sudden feels energetic I think finally I have her back,then she dives again living in her own mind somewhere just not here. I don't say this lightly and I hope no one figures out who we are, but it is like living with someone mentally ill.

  We used to have our coffee in the morning, every morning and chat for few minutes at least before I go to work, now she is either having it by herself or when we are having it she just stares into something. To be perfectly honest she started freaking me out.

  I think she is most definitely overworked but I'm reading a lot of different material lately and I'm starting to wonder if lack of sleep could have pushed her over the edge. I just want my wife back the way she used to be. Any advice will be welcome. And yes now I'm trying to give her as much help as I can but I don't really know if that is all too little too late.

  Here is what doctors say

  http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?id=can-a-lack-of-sleep-cause
• 

  WTWizard

  Not getting enough sleep can cause more than psychiatric disorders. It can cause accidents if you are driving (as bad as, or worse than, drinking and driving). It can cause a person to develop memory disorders and other cognitive problems (including flunking tests after the Thursday evening boasting sessions). It can cause people to get fat, and they are apt to function more like diabetics than normally. It can lead to infections (colds, flu, etc.) It also slows down healing and everything else.

  And yes, lack of sleep can cause psychiatric problems.

  A Google search on "Sleep Deprivation" will back this up with hundreds of good articles.
• 

  hamsterbait

  It sounds like your Wife is exhausted and depressed.

  Unfortunately, the mother in law sounds emotionally needy.

  Unless it is a medical necessity or threatening to her life, you should make it clear that she will not be waited on and brought things in the night when your wife needs to sleep.

  Old people also cat nap constantly during the day, and then complain they can't sleep. Then they need the distraction at night because they are bored.

  If she needs to pee in the night, then don't give her anything to drink after 9pm. If she complains she is thirsty, then tell her she should have ensured she drank what she needs during the day.

  KEEP HER WIDE AWAKE ALL DAY from early in the morning. If you see that she falls asleep in front of her favorite TV show, put something on that she doesn't like - this always kept my granmother awake during the day. If she is tired she will sleep. Just don't let her do it during the day.

  I know this sounds cruel, but dependent elderly parents can become very selfish and childish. A lot of the attention seeking behavior is a test that you still love her. Remember the Witlesses serve a god that does just this all the time, so it will not seem an unreasonable thing to her.

  HB

  Once swhe realises you mean what you say, she will adapt.
• 

  Finally-Free

  I have sleep apnea which is very disruptive to having a good sleep. When tested at a sleep clinic they found I stopped breathing and woke up gasping for air 127 times in one night. I now use a CPAP machine which gives me continuous air pressure, keeping my airways open. The difference it's made is amazing. Now that I'm no longer sleep deprived my disposition has improved a lot. I no longer start dozing off after driving for more than a half hour. I no longer fall asleep at work. I no longer want to punch everyone in sight.

  I don't know if it can be called a psychiactric disorder, but sleep deprivation can cause very negative personality changes as well as other physical symptoms.

  W
• 

  Archer

  Thank you guys,you gave me some really good advice right there. Hamster that was really funny and yes you are absolutely right about not letting her sleep during day hours, she is very very selfish and childish.

  here is another link, very interesting http://articles.latimes.com/2008/mar/24/health/he-sleepmental24
• 

  Mrs. Fiorini

  I don't know how old your mil is, but she may have something called 'sundowners', where elderly people become agitated, anxious and frightened at night. We were afraid my grandmother was getting this after she had cancer surgery. Happily for us it turned out to be temporary, and after several months and some changes in medication, it has gone away. (This is sometimes caused my medication and drugs in the system, so maybe that's why it coincides with your mil's illness. I would mention it to the doctor, especially if you can get a gerontologist that specializes in elderly medicine. Perhaps he or she could give you some advice.)

  This must be very upsetting to your wife to see, as well as exhausting. Can she get some help from anyone else in the family? My mother is my grandmother's primary care person, too, and it was really taking a toll on her. My uncle, who lives out of town, has been coming down during weekends to give my mom a break. He even stayed for several days so my parents could take a little mini vacation and relax a little. If someone could do that for your wife, it could make a big difference.

  I hope the best for you and your family.
• 

  Sad emo

  It's said by some scientists that during sleep, your brain processes all the 'stuff' that it doesn't get chance to during the waking hours (hence dreaming). Your wife has an awful lot happening because of her mum's condition and she probably isn't getting enough sleep to process it all - I just wonder whether those periods in the day where she goes into her own world might be her brain trying to play catch-up (micro-sleep?). Her state doesn't sound too great - maybe not over the edge yet but getting close, I hope you can all get the help you need soon.

  i just looked for info about the Sundown Syndrome that Mrs Fiorini mentioned too and found a short article with some helpful info and tips, maybe some of them ring some bells for you:

  http://seniors-health-medicare.suite101.com/article.cfm/managing_sundown_syndrome
• 

  Satanus

  Lack of sleep can cause hallucinations. When i worked streches of 24 to 30 hours, i used to start to hallucinate. As well, chronic lack of sleep can cause a nervous break down. Maybe, put the mil up for adoption, or something;)

  S
• 

  Archer

  Thank you guys. A very interesting link Sad Emo, lots of that sounds familiar. I think at this moment my priority is how to help my wife, that is a hard one, she doesn't even want to talk about it. But thank you for your suggestions.
• 

  Archer

  I'm reading a very good book on sleep, I hope that can help her get over this weirdness soon. I highly recommend it to anyone suffering from lack of sleep http://www.amazon.com/Power-Sleep-Revolutionary-Prepares-Performance/dp/0060977604/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1233693884&sr=1-11