Dr Natheera Indrasenan discusses the benefits of a good night's sleep and how to achieve them
One of the more common problems I hear in the surgery is "I feel tired all the time". Often patients ask for a tonic to help to pick them up in the day, and sometimes something to help them sleep at night.
Sleep deprivation is a common problem and can be due to insomnia (difficulty getting off to sleep) which affects one in ten of us, or sleep fragmentation (a disturbed quality of sleep). Either way sleep deprivation can cause irritability, poor short-term memory, poor concentration, daytime sleepiness, and - in some cases - depression.
One of the more devastating effects of sleep deprivation is motorway accidents, where lack of sleep is often a factor. Driving when tired (usually at night) is an especially dangerous activity when looked at objectively: your sensory stimulation is very low (it's dark, there's little noise) and there is the 'hypnotic' effect of driving (especially on motorways) all combined with your body clock winding down. This combination of factors can be catastrophic. Try to avoid driving for long stretches at a time, avoid driving tired and take plenty of regular breaks. Caffeine (in coffee, tea and some soft drinks) can help for a short time, but don't count on it.
If you suffer with poor sleep, or wake up feeling tired, it is possible that your sleep quality may be affected. Patients sometimes ask for a drug to help them sleep. I personally prefer to try preventative strategies as they can be highly effective, and tackle the root of the problem. Occasionally you can be prescribed medication such as Benzodiazepine – which might be prescribed if you are in acute stress (for example, after a bereavement) - but ideally not for a long period, as it can be addictive.
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Content last updated: 25/08/2005
About our doctor
As a GP, Dr Natheera Indrasenan realised she was seeing more and more patients with panic attacks, phobias, anxiety, low self-esteem and depression which could have been prevented if they were taught preventative skills. As a result she became passionate about teaching people preventative strategies using Neurolinguistic programming and Coaching skills to manage stress and to be more motivated and confident in their lives.
Dr Indrasenan now trains doctors in using these techniques with their patients, for themselves (doctors often have their own stresses to cope with!) and also members of the general public.
