Sleep is often treated as optional. In today’s world, when there is cut-throat competition for everything, people assume that hustling is the way to move ahead in life. We sacrifice our precious sleep in order to meet deadlines, manage stress, or scroll through screens late into the night.
More often than not, people correlate sleep with laziness. If a person sleeps for 7 or 8 hours, most people accuse them of being lazy and without a proper vision or vigour to achieve the same. However, an average human needs a healthy duration of about 8 hours of sleep per day.
When the required quota of sleep is not met, it leads to attention deficiency and tiredness in the short run, but the list of problems doesn’t end there. In the long run, it could cause irreversible damage to the body.
Many people believe that poor sleep is just part of modern life. But the reality is far more serious. Sleep disorders are medical conditions that affect mental health, physical health, productivity, and long-term quality of life.
At Serene Life Hospital, we have worked with patients who seek help to deal with many symptoms like anxiety, depression, irritability, or poor concentration. Upon closer examination, we have come to understand that many of these conditions are simply symptoms of chronic sleep problems.
If you are facing any of these symptoms, it is a good thought to check it at the earliest.
The Lack of Sleep – A Growing Crisis in India
According to the National Health Portal of India, nearly 33% to 35% of Indians, i.e. almost every third Indian, is facing some form of sleep disorder. They experience insomnia or sleep-related problems at some point in their lives. The prevalence is higher in urban areas when compared to rural areas.
While we can’t be sure of the exact reasons, the general trend shows that work stress, prolonged screen exposure, irregular schedules aligned with international time zones, and unhealthy lifestyle habits are the major culprits behind this growing problem.
Studies published in Indian medical journals suggest that nearly one in five Indian adults may be suffering from chronic sleep deprivation. In spite of widespread efforts to educate people and raise awareness about sleep health, general awareness about sleep disorders and their treatment remains very low.
If the current trend continues, by the year 2030, sleep-related disorders in India could affect at least 40% of the population. This could turn into a major public health concern. There are many kinds of sleep disorders, and it would be prudent to take a closer look at the most common sleep disorders affecting people today.
Sleep Disorders and Their Types
Sleep disorders are conditions that disrupt normal sleep patterns, quality, or duration. Some of the common sleep disorders include insomnia, sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome, circadian rhythm disorders, and other conditions like parasomnias, which are otherwise called night terrors.
Insomnia is one of the most commonly occurring sleep problems in the world. It involves difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking up too early and feeling unrefreshed. Many adults experiencing depression and high-stress situations also suffer from insomnia.
Sleep apnea is another serious sleep disorder. It involves the inability to stay asleep due to breathing-related problems and is often associated with repeated breathing interruptions during sleep. Snoring and disrupted sleep cycles are common symptoms linked to this condition.
These are not just minor inconveniences. Sleep disorders are medical issues that require professional attention from a qualified and experienced psychologist in Chennai to ensure proper diagnosis and effective treatment.
Sleep Disorders Are More Serious Than You Think
Sleep is essential for brain repair, emotional regulation, memory consolidation, and the normal functioning of the immune system. When sleep is disrupted, disturbed, or deficient, it can cause ripple effects on every system in your body.
Impact on Mental Health
Poor sleep and mental health are deeply connected. Many researches show that people with chronic insomnia are up to ten times more likely to develop depression. Anxiety disorders are also strongly linked with disrupted sleep cycles. In short, if you’re facing deep psychological issues, it could also be connected with your sleep.
Untreated sleep disorders often worsen psychological conditions like depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders, OCD, and even psychosis. In many cases, treating sleep problems significantly improves mental health outcomes. That is why, at Serene Life Hospital, one of the best mental hospitals in Chennai, we treat all these symptoms holistically.
Decline in Overall Productivity
Sleep deprivation affects attention, decision-making, reaction time, and memory. This leads to reduced workplace productivity, academic difficulties, and an increased risk of errors.
India already loses billions of rupees annually due to reduced productivity caused by sleep deprivation and related health issues. If current trends continue, productivity losses linked to sleep disorders are projected to rise sharply over the next decade. This is an extrapolation based on current workforce stress patterns and urban health data.
Consequences of Sleep Deprivation on Physical Health
Chronic sleep disorders increase the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and weakened immunity. Sleep apnea, in particular, is associated with a higher risk of stroke and cardiac events.
Sleep deprivation also disrupts hormones that regulate appetite and metabolism, leading to weight gain and fatigue. Most modern lifestyle diseases have their roots in sleep disorders.
How Serene Life Hospital Approaches Sleep Disorders
At Serene Life Hospital, sleep disorders are treated with a holistic and evidence-based approach. We do not simply prescribe medication. Instead, we focus on understanding the root cause of the sleep disorder.
Step One – A thorough and complete clinical assessment is conducted to evaluate sleep patterns, lifestyle factors, mental health status, medical history, and stress levels.
Step Two – We provide personalised therapy, such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I), and prescribe medication only if necessary.
Step Three – We focus on addressing underlying mental health conditions such as anxiety or depression that may be contributing to the sleep disorder.
Step Four – Follow-up and monitoring are carried out to ensure long-term improvement and prevent relapse.
Our psychiatrists in Chennai and mental health professionals in Chennai work closely with patients to restore healthy sleep patterns safely and sustainably.
If you or a loved one is struggling with sleep problems, do not ignore the signs. Early intervention can protect your mental health, physical health, and long-term well-being. At Serene Life Hospital in Chennai, we offer compassionate, confidential, and professional care for sleep disorders and related mental health concerns.
