Warnings for those suffering from insomnia

Along with psychological factors, physical illnesses and medications used in treatment can also lead to insomnia. Certain primary sleep disorders, such as movement disorders during sleep, parasomnias, and sleep-disordered breathing, can also cause insomnia.

While 30-40 percent of adults report insomnia complaints at some point in their lives, 10-13 percent are diagnosed with insomnia at a level that severely affects their lives. A study conducted in Turkey shows that 9 percent of individuals carry a diagnosis of insomnia.

Özgen stated that a good night's sleep is a necessary process for physical and mental repair and rejuvenation.

Providing information that when rejuvenation is not achieved, besides physical symptoms, mental issues such as lack of desire, loss of motivation, irritability, and attention and memory impairments emerge, Özgen said, 'The risk of developing depression or another psychiatric disorder is high in insomnia patients. Compared to those without insomnia, insomnia patients are four times more likely to develop depression, twice as likely to develop anxiety disorders, and seven times more likely to experience substance abuse or addiction within three and a half years. On the other hand, insomnia appears as a symptom in high rates in almost every psychiatric disorder.'

Pointing out that the incidence of insomnia is high in individuals with high anxiety levels, obsessive traits, and controlling personalities, Özgen noted that daytime fatigue, malaise, difficulty with attention, concentration, and memory, impairment in social or occupational functioning, or poor school performance are among the symptoms of insomnia.

"INSOMNIA IS THE RESULT OF A COMBINATION OF SEVERAL FACTORS"

Drawing attention to the fact that mood disorders, irritability, daytime sleepiness, decreased motivation, energy or initiative, memory problems, lack of attention, increased tendency to make mistakes or have accidents at work or while driving, tension due to sleep deprivation, headaches, and gastrointestinal symptoms are also among the symptoms of the condition, Özgen made the following statements:

'The most basic rule of sleep hygiene is known as waking up early at the same time every morning and going to bed when sleepiness arrives. In most cases, insomnia is the result of a combination of several factors. These factors include what you think about sleep, your choice of living conditions, and where you sleep. In some cases, medications used due to medical or psychiatric problems are cited as the cause of insomnia.

If your sleep health has been impaired for more than a month and it disrupts your daily functions, you need to consult your doctor. Sleep-related breathing disorders, restless legs syndrome, psychiatric disorders, and other medical conditions can also cause insomnia. Computers, television, work life, time spent in traffic, tasks, smartphones, homework, and stress-inducing factors brought about by urban life lead to an increase in insomnia.'

Stating that sleep deprivation also affects the release of certain hormones, Özgen expressed that growth hormone repairs the body during sleep, accelerates wound healing, and slows down aging, and that this hormone directly affects the growth of children in particular.