Sleep deprivation a major trigger for mental health emergency, warn experts

Sleep deprivation is one the top three causes triggering Indians to seek emergency help, according to data from tele-MANAS, a government of India mental health helpline, said Dr Naveen Kumar of the Department of Psychiatry at Nimhans. 

Of the 3,500-4,000 calls received on tele-MANAS daily, at least 300 are related to sleep issues alongside sadness and anxiety, he noted. 

He was speaking during a World Sleep Day programme at Nimhans. The day is marked annually on Fridays before the March equinox, by the World Sleep Society. 

“Most common sleep complaints were reduced sleep, frequent awakenings, body aches, work stress, family problems and withdrawal from toddy and alcohol intake,” he noted. 

Speaking about delayed help seeking behaviour among Indians, Dr Seshagiri D V, Assistant Professor at Nimhans, said: “Only few patients consult a medical doctor for sleep-related issues, and more often than not you’ll see a trend among patients that they will actually consider consultation only after they realise sleeping has become impossible.” 

He suggested that strategies like avoiding intake of substances, use of gadgets before bed and maintaining a regular sleep schedule were essential to keep up the circadian rhythm. 

With a growing trend among IT professionals and younger generations to stay up late in the night, the experts suggested that while oversleeping on the weekends may balance the lack of sleep, it is not the solution to tackle insomnia or sleep disorders.