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Page 11
| my legs" and they are often relieved (temporarily) by moving the legs. The syndrome is also usually accompanied by periodic movements of both legs during sleep and is sometimes associated with diabetes, kidney disease or circulatory problems; in the majority of cases, however, no specific cause can be found. |
| Psychological Illness |
| Any psychiatric or psychological illness can interfere with sleep. Conditions associated with increased anxiety or worry often keep people from falling asleep, whereas depressive illnesses often result in early morning awakening or trouble remaining asleep. |
| In addition, many prescription medications for treating psychiatric illness can also compromise sleep. Certain antidepressants, such as Prozac, Zoloft and Paxil, can have stimulating effects. Tranquilizers such as Valium may at first help anxious people sleep, but with prolonged usage they can disturb normal sleep activity in the brain. The same is true for caffeine, nicotine and alcohol use, which frequently increase during times of psychological stress. |
| Also, negative associations and other bad sleep habits that become established during periods of psychological distress can remain as lingering problems after the underlying psychological crisis has resolved. For example, poor habits such as trying too hard to get back to sleep or spending too much time lying awake in bed can become established during a period of depression and remain as causes of persistent insomnia once the depression has successfully been treated (or cleared on its own). |
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