RESTLESS, RACING AND “SLEEPLESS IN AMERICA ”

 ~ New Survey Shows Need for Greater Public Awareness about Link between Sleep and Mental Illness ~

PHILADELPHIA, PA (June 14, 2004) – Sleep disturbance is one of the most common problems associated with mental illness, yet it is often not recognized as a symptom, according to the results of a new survey conducted by the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) and announced on the heels of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies’ 18^th Annual Meeting in Philadelphia.  The lack of recognition revealed in the survey may be a key factor in delayed diagnosis, according to experts, and the results also suggest sleep disturbances associated with mental illness may in fact be triggers for additional mood symptoms and quality of life issues.  

In light of these findings, DBSA is initiating the “Sleepless in America ” campaign to create awareness about sleep disturbance and its effects on mental health, and to provide Internet-based tools for helping people identify if their own sleep problems may be linked to a common mental illness, such as bipolar disorder or depression. 

A Closer Look at Sleep Disturbance

Results from DBSA’s survey of 1,464 people, who voluntarily responded to the survey, show a gap between the prevalence of sleep disturbance and diagnosis of mental illness.  Typically, a person’s sleep is considered “disturbed” if he or she chronically takes a long time to fall asleep, wakes frequently during the night, is awake for an increasing amount of time for each awakening, and receives few total hours of sleep.  Based on answers from respondents who have experienced problems falling or staying asleep, key survey findings suggest:

·         Sleep disturbance symptoms are linked to common mental illnesses, such as bipolar disorder – Respondents cited racing thoughts (75 percent), emotional stress (73.9 percent) and restlessness (61.6 percent) as the primary causes of sleep disturbance.  These symptoms, along with irritable and uncontrollable moods that cause inability to sleep and last for at least two weeks, are symptoms of the manic episodes associated with bipolar disorder.  Sleeplessness and emotional stress may also be signs of depression.

·         People do not always report sleep-related symptoms, possibly delaying diagnosis and treatment – Out of the respondents who had never been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, over 72 percent experienced racing thoughts and 69 percent experienced restlessness, but less than half reported these sleep-associated symptoms to their physician.  Comparatively, 75 percent of people diagnosed with bipolar disorder had recognized sleep disturbances as signs of mental illness prior to seeing a doctor. 

·         Lack of sleep directly and severely impacts quality of life – Overwhelmingly, 93 percent of respondents thought lack of sleep negatively impacted their mood and caused sadness, anxiousness, and irritability.  It further affected relationships with friends and family (73.9 percent), performance at work or school (67.4 percent), and social activities (58.7 percent). 

“There is a proven link between sleep disturbance symptoms and mental illness,” said Dr. Ellen Frank, Professor Psychiatry and Psychology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic.  “If someone is experiencing racing thoughts, restlessness, and irritability along with intense sadness or mood swings for more than two weeks, they should seek medical attention from a specialist who is trained to diagnose – or perhaps just rule out – mental illness.  The fact that many people fail to recognize lack of sleep as a symptom of mental illness could lead to delaying appropriate treatment and potentially worsen the condition,” Frank said.

“Sleepless in America ” Program Designed to Educate, Motivate

DBSA is launching a new website, www.sleeplessinamerica.org, which will offer educational resources that provide tips on how to combat sleeplessness and determine when it might be symptomatic of a more serious psychological illness.  The website will provide links to local DBSA chapters in major cities, including New York , Chicago , Los Angeles and Washington , DC , which will give additional information on regional support groups and activities.  A sleep kit, including a brochure entitled “Getting Better Sleep, What You Need to Know,” is available for download and by calling DBSA at 800-826-3632.

“While people might initially think being awake all night helps them be more creative and have more time to themselves, it can severely impair one’s ability to function physically and emotionally,” said Lydia Lewis, President of DBSA.  “Lack of sleep negatively impacts emotional well-being and relationships with friends and family.  Through this national and grassroots programs, we’re hoping to educate the public about sleep disturbance and let them know they should be proactive about discussing these problems with a doctor or psychiatrist.”

The survey and campaign were made possible in part by a grant from AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals. 

About depression and bipolar disorder

According to the National Institutes of Mental Health, an estimated 22.1 percent of Americans – about 1 in 5 adults – suffers from a diagnosable mental disorder in a given year.  Depression affects 9.9 million American adults and bipolar disorder affects more than 2.3 million.  According to the National Commissions on Sleep Disorders Research, more than 40 million Americans are chronically ill with various sleep disorders and an additional 20 to 30 million experience intermittent sleep-related problems.

Depression is a treatable medical illness involving an imbalance of brain chemicals called neurotransmitters.  It is not a character flaw or a sign of personal weakness.  Although it can run in families, it is not solely hereditary.  The direct causes of the illness are unclear, however it is known that body chemistry can bring on a depressive disorder, due to experiencing a traumatic event, hormonal changes, altered health habits, the presence of another illness or substance abuse.  Signs of depression can include: prolonged sadness or unexplained crying spells; significant changes in appetite and sleep patterns; loss of energy or persistent lethargy; irritability, anger, worry, agitation, and anxiety; inability to concentrate; and social withdrawal.

Bipolar disorder (also known as manic depression) is a treatable illness marked by extreme changes in mood, thought, energy and behavior that affects more than 2.3 million Americans.  It is known as bipolar disorder because a person's mood can alternate between the highs of mania and lows of depression.  This change in the mood or "mood swing" can last for hours, days, weeks or even months.  Mania or hypomania (a less extreme form of mania) may include irritability, grandiosity or elation; decreased need for sleep; fast talking or racing thoughts; hypersexuality; and high distractibility. Symptoms of depression include change in appetite, fatigue, restlessness, feeling worthless or guilty, poor concentration, and thoughts of death or suicide.  In fact, according to NIMH, one in five people with bipolar disorder commit suicide. 

About the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance

The Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) is the nation’s leading patient-directed organization focusing depression and bipolar disorder. The organization, which has more than 1,000 support groups nationwide, fosters an understanding about the impact and management of these life-threatening illnesses by providing up-to-date, scientifically-based tools and information.  Assisted by a 65-member scientific advisory board, comprised of the leading researchers and clinicians in the field of mood disorders, DBSA supports research to promote more timely diagnosis, develop more effective and tolerable treatments and discover a cure. More than 4 million receive information and assistance each year.