Dilemma: I Can’t Sleep by Robyn Tamanaha, LMFT

What’s going on?

There can be multiple reasons why an individual might be having difficulty sleeping. If you know that you do not have a medical condition that would be influencing this, then consider reflecting on possible psychological factors.

Any difficulty experienced by an individual, such as difficulty sleeping, can be experienced in multiple types of mental illnesses, but determining which one it is depends on how the difficulty is expressed and experienced.

Which one is it?

Anxiety: Anxiety is the physical feeling of restlessness that takes away your body’s ability to be relaxed. Anxiety can also include worried thoughts, which keep your mind awake and prompt your body to be on alert. Both of these together, or alone, can make it difficult to fall asleep, stay asleep, or get restful sleep.

Bipolar Disorder: The individual is not only awake, but also energized both physically and mentally. It’s not uncommon to get tasks completed, or think of ideas for tasks, while in this state. Little to no sleep is acquired, and the individual will not feel tired the following day.

Depression: The individual will have trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, or will wake up and not be able to go back to sleep. Some experience hypersomnia, which is sleeping for long periods of time during the day. Throughout all of this, the individual will still feel tired, even if they do not engage in any physical activity.

What do I do?

Keep in mind that only a trained mental health professional can diagnose mental illnesses, but if you resonate with any of the above experiences, this might be an indication of a larger issue and it would be helpful to meet with a professional who can work with you through this. In all of the examples above, the difficulty with sleep will impact you or major areas of your life at some point. Mental health professionals are trained in skills that are helpful in managing what you’re experiencing.

Reference: American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Washington, DC: Publisher.

You don’t have to do this alone. If you are interested in receiving therapy with me, let’s schedule a free 15-minute phone consult.

(NOTE: This video was filmed when my office was at a previous location. I am now located in Irvine, CA)

My office is located in Irvine, which is near Newport Beach, Orange, Fountain Valley, Costa Mesa, Anaheim, Huntington Beach, Mission Viejo, Laguna Niguel, Aliso Viejo, Laguna Hills, Tustin, Seal Beach, and beyond. I work with anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, and Asian American & Pacific Islanders.

Disclaimer: This information is being provided to you for educational and informational purposes only. The topics being discussed are meant as a self-help tool for you own use. It is not psychotherapy or counseling. This information is to be used based on your own judgment. If you need to speak with a professional, you should find one local to you and contact them directly.