Problems with sleep and circadian rhythm can trigger or worsen mental disorders.
- Adolescence is a period when people are at greatest risk of developing mental disorders and when disruptions to sleep and circadian rhythms are greatest.
- Adults genetically predisposed to a reduced change in activity levels between resting and waking phases are more likely to suffer from depression, mood instability, and neurosis.
- However, exposure to light and spending time outdoors is associated with a lower likelihood of mood disorders.
Sleep, the internal clock and mental health are closely linked. Disruption of sleep quality, continuity, and synchronization may precipitate or exacerbate psychiatric symptoms in susceptible individuals. According to previous research, 32% of adults with bipolar disorder fall asleep and wake up later than usual. Their biological clock processes were seven hours ahead during manic episodes and four to five hours behind during the depressive phase. At the same time, it has been proven that treatments targeting sleep and circadian rhythm disruptions can alleviate mental disorders.
Adolescence: “physiological changes” linked to sleep combined with “behavioral changes”
“Despite progress in elucidating the underlying mechanisms, a coherent approach that integrates the dynamic interactions between psychiatric disorders and sleep and circadian rhythm processes is lacking,” said an international team of researchers. So, in a recent study, they looked at findings in adolescents and young adults, who are at greatest risk of developing mental disorders and for whom early detection and intervention are most beneficial.
“During adolescence, physiological changes in the way we sleep combine with behavioral changes, such as going to bed later, sleeping less on school nights, and sleeping in on weekends. -ends”, explained the scientists. According to Nicholas Meyerlead author of the work published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, this variability in the duration and timing of sleep can lead to a mismatch between the biological clock and sleep-wake rhythms. This can increase the risk of sleep disturbances and adverse mental health effects.
Depression, neurosis: adults genetically predisposed to biological clock disorders are at risk
As part of the study, the authors also examined the role of genes, light exposure, neuroplasticity and other possible factors. According to the results, people genetically predisposed to a reduced change in activity levels between resting and waking phases are more likely to suffer from depression, mood instability and neurosis. Population surveys have shown that time spent outdoors is associated with a lower likelihood of mood disorders.
“Targeting risk factors related to sleep and circadian rhythm offers the opportunity to develop new preventative measures and new therapies. Some of these are population-level considerations, such as day schedule school and work, or changes to the built environment to optimize light exposure. Others are personalized interventions tailored to individual circadian parameters.” said Renske Lok, co-author of the study.
