Understanding
Sleep Disorders
Understanding sleep difficulties and their profound impact on mental health and daily functioning
Understanding
Sleep Disorders
Understanding sleep difficulties and their profound impact on mental health and daily functioning
Understanding
Sleep Disorders
Understanding sleep difficulties and their profound impact on mental health and daily functioning
What do sleep disorders feel like?
Living with sleep disorders means experiencing a constant battle between exhaustion and the inability to achieve restorative sleep, creating a cycle that affects every aspect of daily life. Whether struggling with insomnia, sleep apnoea, restless leg syndrome, or other sleep disruptions, the experience often involves lying awake feeling frustrated and anxious about not sleeping, which paradoxically makes sleep even more elusive. The physical and mental fatigue creates a fog that impairs concentration, memory, and emotional regulation throughout the day.
The impact extends far beyond tiredness, affecting mood, relationships, work performance, and physical health. Many people describe feeling like they're operating at half capacity, struggling to cope with normal stressors, and experiencing increased anxiety or depression as sleep deprivation compounds existing mental health challenges. The unpredictability of sleep patterns can create additional stress about planning activities or maintaining consistent routines.
Common Symptoms
Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep regularly
Waking up frequently during the night
Early morning awakening with inability to return to sleep
Feeling unrefreshed despite spending time in bed
Excessive daytime fatigue and sleepiness
Irritability, anxiety, or low mood related to poor sleep
Difficulty concentrating or remembering things during the day
Physical symptoms like headaches or muscle tension from poor sleep
What do sleep disorders feel like?
Living with sleep disorders means experiencing a constant battle between exhaustion and the inability to achieve restorative sleep, creating a cycle that affects every aspect of daily life. Whether struggling with insomnia, sleep apnoea, restless leg syndrome, or other sleep disruptions, the experience often involves lying awake feeling frustrated and anxious about not sleeping, which paradoxically makes sleep even more elusive. The physical and mental fatigue creates a fog that impairs concentration, memory, and emotional regulation throughout the day.
The impact extends far beyond tiredness, affecting mood, relationships, work performance, and physical health. Many people describe feeling like they're operating at half capacity, struggling to cope with normal stressors, and experiencing increased anxiety or depression as sleep deprivation compounds existing mental health challenges. The unpredictability of sleep patterns can create additional stress about planning activities or maintaining consistent routines.
Common Symptoms
Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep regularly
Waking up frequently during the night
Early morning awakening with inability to return to sleep
Feeling unrefreshed despite spending time in bed
Excessive daytime fatigue and sleepiness
Irritability, anxiety, or low mood related to poor sleep
Difficulty concentrating or remembering things during the day
Physical symptoms like headaches or muscle tension from poor sleep
What do sleep disorders feel like?
Living with sleep disorders means experiencing a constant battle between exhaustion and the inability to achieve restorative sleep, creating a cycle that affects every aspect of daily life. Whether struggling with insomnia, sleep apnoea, restless leg syndrome, or other sleep disruptions, the experience often involves lying awake feeling frustrated and anxious about not sleeping, which paradoxically makes sleep even more elusive. The physical and mental fatigue creates a fog that impairs concentration, memory, and emotional regulation throughout the day.
The impact extends far beyond tiredness, affecting mood, relationships, work performance, and physical health. Many people describe feeling like they're operating at half capacity, struggling to cope with normal stressors, and experiencing increased anxiety or depression as sleep deprivation compounds existing mental health challenges. The unpredictability of sleep patterns can create additional stress about planning activities or maintaining consistent routines.
Common Symptoms
Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep regularly
Waking up frequently during the night
Early morning awakening with inability to return to sleep
Feeling unrefreshed despite spending time in bed
Excessive daytime fatigue and sleepiness
Irritability, anxiety, or low mood related to poor sleep
Difficulty concentrating or remembering things during the day
Physical symptoms like headaches or muscle tension from poor sleep
History of Sleep Disorders
From mysterious ailment to understood medical condition with targeted treatments
Pre 1800s
Sleep problems documented in historical texts but largely attributed to spiritual or moral causes, with limited understanding of sleep's biological importance or the existence of specific sleep disorders
Early 1900s
Scientific study of sleep begins with the discovery of brain waves and sleep stages, establishing sleep as a complex biological process rather than simply the absence of wakefulness
1970s-80s
Sleep medicine emerges as medical specialty with identification of sleep apnoea, establishment of sleep laboratories, and recognition of sleep disorders as serious health conditions requiring medical treatment
Present
Modern sleep medicine integrates neuroscience, psychology, and technology to diagnose and treat sleep disorders, with growing recognition of sleep's crucial role in mental health, cognitive function, and overall wellbeing
History of Sleep Disorders
From mysterious ailment to understood medical condition with targeted treatments
Pre 1800s
Sleep problems documented in historical texts but largely attributed to spiritual or moral causes, with limited understanding of sleep's biological importance or the existence of specific sleep disorders
Early 1900s
Scientific study of sleep begins with the discovery of brain waves and sleep stages, establishing sleep as a complex biological process rather than simply the absence of wakefulness
1970s-80s
Sleep medicine emerges as medical specialty with identification of sleep apnoea, establishment of sleep laboratories, and recognition of sleep disorders as serious health conditions requiring medical treatment
Present
Modern sleep medicine integrates neuroscience, psychology, and technology to diagnose and treat sleep disorders, with growing recognition of sleep's crucial role in mental health, cognitive function, and overall wellbeing
History of Sleep Disorders
From mysterious ailment to understood medical condition with targeted treatments
Pre 1800s
Sleep problems documented in historical texts but largely attributed to spiritual or moral causes, with limited understanding of sleep's biological importance or the existence of specific sleep disorders
Early 1900s
Scientific study of sleep begins with the discovery of brain waves and sleep stages, establishing sleep as a complex biological process rather than simply the absence of wakefulness
1970s-80s
Sleep medicine emerges as medical specialty with identification of sleep apnoea, establishment of sleep laboratories, and recognition of sleep disorders as serious health conditions requiring medical treatment
Present
Modern sleep medicine integrates neuroscience, psychology, and technology to diagnose and treat sleep disorders, with growing recognition of sleep's crucial role in mental health, cognitive function, and overall wellbeing
Take our free self-test
Take our free self-test
Take a short self-test to see if counselling might make a difference.
Take a short self-test to see if counselling might make a difference.
Instructions
Answer based on the last 2 weeks. Choose the option that fits best. You’ll see your results at the end.
This short self-test screens for sleep difficulties over the last 2 weeks. It isn’t a diagnosis, but it can help you decide next steps.
How therapy can help
Therapy for sleep disorders uses evidence-based approaches like Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I), sleep hygiene education, and relaxation techniques to address both the behavioural and psychological factors contributing to poor sleep. CBT-I helps identify and change thoughts and behaviours that interfere with sleep, whilst sleep restriction and stimulus control techniques help retrain the body's sleep-wake cycle. Treatment addresses anxiety about sleep, racing thoughts at bedtime, and maladaptive sleep habits that perpetuate sleep problems.
Therapy emphasises developing consistent sleep routines, managing stress and anxiety that interfere with sleep, and creating optimal sleep environments. Many people experience significant improvements in sleep quality within weeks of beginning treatment, with CBT-I often proving as effective as medication but with longer-lasting benefits and no side effects.
Benefits of Therapy
Learning evidence-based techniques for falling asleep faster
Developing consistent sleep routines and healthy sleep habits
Reducing anxiety and worry about sleep and sleeplessness
Managing stress and racing thoughts that interfere with sleep
Creating optimal sleep environments and conditions
Addressing underlying mental health issues affecting sleep
Improving daytime energy, mood, and cognitive function
Frequently Asked Questions
Understanding sleep problems and effective treatment approaches
How much sleep do I actually need, and when should I worry?
Most adults need 7-9 hours of sleep, but quality matters as much as quantity. You should consider professional help if sleep problems occur more than three nights per week for over a month, significantly impact your daytime functioning, or if you feel unrefreshed despite spending adequate time in bed.
Is it better to use sleeping pills or try therapy first?
Research shows that Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) is often more effective than sleeping pills for long-term improvement, with benefits lasting after treatment ends. Whilst medication can provide short-term relief, therapy addresses underlying causes and teaches lasting skills without dependency risks or side effects.
Can poor sleep really cause mental health problems?
Yes, chronic sleep deprivation significantly increases risk of developing depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions. Sleep and mental health have a bidirectional relationship - poor sleep worsens mental health symptoms, whilst mental health problems can disrupt sleep, creating cycles that therapy can help break.
What if I've tried everything and still can't sleep?
If basic sleep hygiene and self-help strategies haven't worked, professional evaluation is important to rule out underlying sleep disorders like sleep apnoea, restless leg syndrome, or other medical conditions. Specialised sleep therapy or medical treatment may be needed for complex cases.
How therapy can help
Therapy for sleep disorders uses evidence-based approaches like Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I), sleep hygiene education, and relaxation techniques to address both the behavioural and psychological factors contributing to poor sleep. CBT-I helps identify and change thoughts and behaviours that interfere with sleep, whilst sleep restriction and stimulus control techniques help retrain the body's sleep-wake cycle. Treatment addresses anxiety about sleep, racing thoughts at bedtime, and maladaptive sleep habits that perpetuate sleep problems.
Therapy emphasises developing consistent sleep routines, managing stress and anxiety that interfere with sleep, and creating optimal sleep environments. Many people experience significant improvements in sleep quality within weeks of beginning treatment, with CBT-I often proving as effective as medication but with longer-lasting benefits and no side effects.
Benefits of Therapy
Learning evidence-based techniques for falling asleep faster
Developing consistent sleep routines and healthy sleep habits
Reducing anxiety and worry about sleep and sleeplessness
Managing stress and racing thoughts that interfere with sleep
Creating optimal sleep environments and conditions
Addressing underlying mental health issues affecting sleep
Improving daytime energy, mood, and cognitive function
Frequently Asked Questions
Understanding sleep problems and effective treatment approaches
How much sleep do I actually need, and when should I worry?
Most adults need 7-9 hours of sleep, but quality matters as much as quantity. You should consider professional help if sleep problems occur more than three nights per week for over a month, significantly impact your daytime functioning, or if you feel unrefreshed despite spending adequate time in bed.
Is it better to use sleeping pills or try therapy first?
Research shows that Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) is often more effective than sleeping pills for long-term improvement, with benefits lasting after treatment ends. Whilst medication can provide short-term relief, therapy addresses underlying causes and teaches lasting skills without dependency risks or side effects.
Can poor sleep really cause mental health problems?
Yes, chronic sleep deprivation significantly increases risk of developing depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions. Sleep and mental health have a bidirectional relationship - poor sleep worsens mental health symptoms, whilst mental health problems can disrupt sleep, creating cycles that therapy can help break.
What if I've tried everything and still can't sleep?
If basic sleep hygiene and self-help strategies haven't worked, professional evaluation is important to rule out underlying sleep disorders like sleep apnoea, restless leg syndrome, or other medical conditions. Specialised sleep therapy or medical treatment may be needed for complex cases.
How therapy can help
Therapy for sleep disorders uses evidence-based approaches like Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I), sleep hygiene education, and relaxation techniques to address both the behavioural and psychological factors contributing to poor sleep. CBT-I helps identify and change thoughts and behaviours that interfere with sleep, whilst sleep restriction and stimulus control techniques help retrain the body's sleep-wake cycle. Treatment addresses anxiety about sleep, racing thoughts at bedtime, and maladaptive sleep habits that perpetuate sleep problems.
Therapy emphasises developing consistent sleep routines, managing stress and anxiety that interfere with sleep, and creating optimal sleep environments. Many people experience significant improvements in sleep quality within weeks of beginning treatment, with CBT-I often proving as effective as medication but with longer-lasting benefits and no side effects.
Benefits of Therapy
Learning evidence-based techniques for falling asleep faster
Developing consistent sleep routines and healthy sleep habits
Reducing anxiety and worry about sleep and sleeplessness
Managing stress and racing thoughts that interfere with sleep
Creating optimal sleep environments and conditions
Addressing underlying mental health issues affecting sleep
Improving daytime energy, mood, and cognitive function
Frequently Asked Questions
Understanding sleep problems and effective treatment approaches
How much sleep do I actually need, and when should I worry?
Most adults need 7-9 hours of sleep, but quality matters as much as quantity. You should consider professional help if sleep problems occur more than three nights per week for over a month, significantly impact your daytime functioning, or if you feel unrefreshed despite spending adequate time in bed.
Is it better to use sleeping pills or try therapy first?
Research shows that Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) is often more effective than sleeping pills for long-term improvement, with benefits lasting after treatment ends. Whilst medication can provide short-term relief, therapy addresses underlying causes and teaches lasting skills without dependency risks or side effects.
Can poor sleep really cause mental health problems?
Yes, chronic sleep deprivation significantly increases risk of developing depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions. Sleep and mental health have a bidirectional relationship - poor sleep worsens mental health symptoms, whilst mental health problems can disrupt sleep, creating cycles that therapy can help break.
What if I've tried everything and still can't sleep?
If basic sleep hygiene and self-help strategies haven't worked, professional evaluation is important to rule out underlying sleep disorders like sleep apnoea, restless leg syndrome, or other medical conditions. Specialised sleep therapy or medical treatment may be needed for complex cases.
Meet our Therapists
Meet our Therapists
Meet our specialists who can help guide your recovery
Jayne Tamsett is a BACP accredited counsellor with a BA (Hons) in Counselling & Psychotherapy and over 4,700 clinical hours. She works with adults experiencing anxiety, trauma, depression, and relationship challenges. Her practice offers an inclusive and compassionate space where clients feel heard, understood, and supported in their personal growth
More
Adults (18+)
Waqas Maqsood is an integrative counsellor and registered member of the BACP with over 600 clinical hours. Holding an MA in Integrative Counselling and a BSc in Neuroscience, he offers a holistic, flexible approach that supports clients with anxiety, trauma, low self-esteem, and life transitions.
More
Adults (18+)
Victoria is a compassionate and down-to-earth therapist with an MSc in Counselling and Psychotherapy and more than 1,900 clinical hours of experience. A registered member of the BACP, she supports both individuals and couples, offering a warm, collaborative space to explore relationships, self-worth, anxiety, and personal growth in a supportive environment.
More
Adults (18+)
Couples
Matt is an integrative counsellor holding a Diploma in Integrative Counselling with experience delivering more than 500 clinical sessions. He combines counselling, mindfulness, and meditation techniques to support clients with anxiety, depression, trauma, self-esteem issues, and life transitions, helping people build resilience, clarity, and a stronger sense of emotional wellbeing.
More
Adults (18+)
At Manchester Counselling, we are pleased to introduce Grant Fairlie (MBACP), a counsellor with over 1,900 clinical hours and more than three years of practice. Grant brings a background in drama education and specialist experience supporting neurodiverse adults and adolescents.
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Adults (18+)
Introducing Andrea Szentgyorgyi, a UKCP-registered integrative psychotherapist with over 1,000 clinical hours. Andrea combines person-centred, solution-focused therapy with advanced techniques including hypnotherapy and EMDR, creating a tailored and flexible approach for each client. With 6 years of experience, she provides a safe and supportive space to explore challenges and promote lasting emotional wellbeing.
More
Adults (18+)
Jayne Tamsett is a BACP accredited counsellor with a BA (Hons) in Counselling & Psychotherapy and over 4,700 clinical hours. She works with adults experiencing anxiety, trauma, depression, and relationship challenges. Her practice offers an inclusive and compassionate space where clients feel heard, understood, and supported in their personal growth
More
Adults (18+)
Waqas Maqsood is an integrative counsellor and registered member of the BACP with over 600 clinical hours. Holding an MA in Integrative Counselling and a BSc in Neuroscience, he offers a holistic, flexible approach that supports clients with anxiety, trauma, low self-esteem, and life transitions.
More
Adults (18+)
Victoria is a compassionate and down-to-earth therapist with an MSc in Counselling and Psychotherapy and more than 1,900 clinical hours of experience. A registered member of the BACP, she supports both individuals and couples, offering a warm, collaborative space to explore relationships, self-worth, anxiety, and personal growth in a supportive environment.
More
Adults (18+)
Couples
Matt is an integrative counsellor holding a Diploma in Integrative Counselling with experience delivering more than 500 clinical sessions. He combines counselling, mindfulness, and meditation techniques to support clients with anxiety, depression, trauma, self-esteem issues, and life transitions, helping people build resilience, clarity, and a stronger sense of emotional wellbeing.
More
Adults (18+)
Jayne Tamsett is a BACP accredited counsellor with a BA (Hons) in Counselling & Psychotherapy and over 4,700 clinical hours. She works with adults experiencing anxiety, trauma, depression, and relationship challenges. Her practice offers an inclusive and compassionate space where clients feel heard, understood, and supported in their personal growth
More
Adults (18+)
Waqas Maqsood is an integrative counsellor and registered member of the BACP with over 600 clinical hours. Holding an MA in Integrative Counselling and a BSc in Neuroscience, he offers a holistic, flexible approach that supports clients with anxiety, trauma, low self-esteem, and life transitions.
More
Adults (18+)
Victoria is a compassionate and down-to-earth therapist with an MSc in Counselling and Psychotherapy and more than 1,900 clinical hours of experience. A registered member of the BACP, she supports both individuals and couples, offering a warm, collaborative space to explore relationships, self-worth, anxiety, and personal growth in a supportive environment.
More
Adults (18+)
Couples
Matt is an integrative counsellor holding a Diploma in Integrative Counselling with experience delivering more than 500 clinical sessions. He combines counselling, mindfulness, and meditation techniques to support clients with anxiety, depression, trauma, self-esteem issues, and life transitions, helping people build resilience, clarity, and a stronger sense of emotional wellbeing.
More
Adults (18+)