Worried About Sleeping Pills?

Sleepings pills and mental health - We know that sleeping pills are not the answer. Not only are they habit forming but they can actually affect your mental health as this article points out. Did you know that your physical and emotional health may impact your sleep? Read more to find out how.

By David Abrams

An article I recently read in the NY Times discussed concerns regarding sleeping pills that I feel people should be aware of.

Not only did the article state that 42 million prescriptions were filled last year for sleep disorders, it further stated that sleeping pill prescriptions increased 60% since 2000. It also said that close to $300 million had been spent in an 11-month period to convince consumers that sleeping pills are safe.

The marketing and advertising campaign for prescription drugs is fierce. There are concerns that the mass marketing appeals to the benefits and does not focus on the side effects of these prescription drugs.

To this point, Dr. Jacobs, a psychologist and assistant professor of psychiatry at Harvard states, “You’ve got the patient population bombarded with advertising on TV.”

Many research studies for individuals taking the prescription are performed in short durations – mostly between four to 12 weeks at a time. As a consumer, I urge you to be aware that these prescriptions are prescribed and then renewed with usage for years. The main concern with this approach is that the research never tested side effects for individuals who may use the medication longer than the trial research. It is important to note that long-term research is limited as well.

An attorney in Buffalo, NY started using Ambien to sleep because his mind was racing. His reported problems include: sleepwalking and short-term amnesia. He had several episodes where he woke up to find he had messily raided the refrigerator. And, finally, an incident in which he tore a towel rack out of a wall. He quit using Ambien after one month of use due to the above mentioned concerns.

Some experts are concerned that doctors are overlooking the root cause of sleeplessness. Insomnia can have a number of components including the result of stress and diet. Furthermore, many individuals are overworked and are unable to shut down their brains to the point of sleep due to work late into the evenings. They consume caffeinated beverages throughout the day like coffee, tea, sodas, energy drinks etc. People are extremely busy and do not find time to exercise.

Exercise on a regular basis is an important component to healthy sleep. Diet is very important as well. An organic diet full of vegetables, fruits, and beans can be beneficial in relation to obtaining a solid night’s rest. Many processed foods have chemicals, dyes, and unnatural sugars that will impact your sleep.

In addition, unresolved traumatic events can impact sleep on a regular basis. The traumatic events I am referring to include grief, loss, death, emotional abuse, physical abuse, and sexual abuse.

We all have pain in our lives and it is how we choose to cope with life’s pain that allows us to create balance in our lives, which includes healthy sleep patterns. All mood disorders including anxiety and depression are important links to sleep challenges.

In conclusion when determining if prescription medication is for you, it is essential to first look at your physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual components. You may find that when one or more of those areas are out balance, it may have a substantial impact on your healthy sleeping patterns as well as other areas in your life.

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