Poor sleep can be a symptom of schizophrenia; to understand

*This text has been written based on the information received from health institutions and organizations, hospitals and health professionals. If you or someone you know has any of the symptoms described here, our recommendation is to seek medical attention as soon as possible.

You may not be or you may be meeting someone. schizophrenia, but according to the latest data from the World Health Organization (WHO), mental health status affects almost 1% of the world’s population and is already extensively depicted in fiction. What many people don’t know is the relationship between illness and sleep, and one of the first signs of this condition is sleep. difficulty sleeping.

Characterized by hallucinations, delusions and very disorganized thinking schizophrenia It usually occurs when a person is in their 20s, but it can occur at other stages of life as well.

understand how to sleep – and its lack – are closely related to the occurrence of the disease. Studies also show that a person’s sleep patterns may indicate a genetic predisposition to developing the condition. Check below.

Schizophrenia and sleep quality

one of the first signs schizophrenia regular routine may be interrupted. to sleep. The carrier of the disease can:

• start staying up all night;
• not being able to sleep for more than one or two hours at a time;
• Has difficulty falling asleep suddenly when previously falling asleep.

This is an early sign schizophrenia this is called interruption of the circadian rhythm – the name given to the variation in the biological functions of different living things that repeats itself regularly every 24 hours.

Changes to the standard to sleep they often precede the more pronounced delusions, hallucinations, or other symptoms. As the body and brain need to sleep To have a healthy function, its deficiency can trigger or increase symptoms of mental health conditions, including schizophrenia.

Symptoms aggravated by lack of sleep

Insomnia can weaken the effectiveness of medications and treatment plans, even causing relapse and the need for a new treatment model.

Joyful symptoms of schizophrenia Conditions that may be worsened by a lack of sleep include:

• Disorganized thinking;
• memory difficulties;
• difficulty concentrating;
• Difficulty expressing thoughts;
• Difficulty paying attention;
• hallucinations;
• delusions;
• Anger, sadness, or other emotions outside of the ordinary context.

Joyful sleeping disorders it can also affect the patient’s physical health and lead to complications such as weight gain, high blood pressure, a weakened immune system and an increased risk of diabetes.

Common sleep disorders in schizophrenia patients

insomnia disease

Insomnia is characterized by persistent difficulty sleeping at least 3 nights a week. In addition to common external factors such as stress, caffeine or the environment, schizophrenia develops insomnia due to overactive dopamine receptors in the brain.

The chemical can affect your mood, memory, coordination and other important functions, and it needs to be at the right level for the body to function properly. High dopamine activity makes control difficult insomnia disease and restful sleep in humans schizophrenia.

obstructive sleep apnea

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) occurs when someone’s airways become blocked while they sleep, causing snoring, dry mouth, poor sleep, and fatigue. A 2016 research review found that approximately 15% of patients schizophrenia already experience OSA.

A 2017 study suggested that this may be due to weight gain caused by anti-inflammatory drugs. schizophreniabecause obesity is a risk factor for the development of apnea.

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) and LMMD

Again, the bad guy is dopamine. with people schizophrenia Often have an uncontrollable urge to move their legs that worsens at night (RLS), along with periodic limb movement disorder (PMMD) characterized by cramping or twitching of the legs.

Because schizophrenia and RLS are linked to high dopamine levels, this link is thought by experts to be why the syndrome is common in people with diabetes. schizophrenia.

Circadian rhythm disorders

According to a 2017 study, it is common for people with various mental health conditions to suffer from circadian rhythm disorders. This can cause them to sleep too much or too little, be unable to sleep for more than short periods of time, or maintain a daily sleep-wake routine.

narcolepsy

The neurological condition is characterized by a lot of fatigue during the day, making it difficult for the patient to stay awake. A 2016 study found evidence of a link between them. schizophrenia and narcolepsy, and some studies show an overlap in the symptoms of both conditions, such as hallucinations. But the hypotheses still need to be studied further.

night eating syndrome (NCS)

Characterized by extreme hunger at night, SCN causes the carrier to eat at night and not feel hungry during the day. A study conducted in 2021, schizophrenia May be at increased risk of developing CNS – especially those who are overweight or obese, or insomnia disease.

genetic causes

A scientific review in 2020 pointed out that genetic mutations may be the cause. schizophrenia It is also responsible for disruptions in the circadian rhythm. Another genetic study on the subject, published in June of this year, to sleep may be a potential therapeutic target for treating the condition.

Matter: BMC Psychiatry – https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-022-03946-8.