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Physiology & Medicine / Re: Is it healthy to dream?
« on: 01/12/2016 08:18:33 »
Dreaming is a necessary part of healthy, restorative sleep. Non-natural (drug-induced) sleep that normally suppresses (REM) dream sleep often leaves people feeling paradoxically tired and hung over when they wake. We don't know why, but sleep punctuated by dream phases seems to be critical for psychological wellbeing and mental health.
Indeed, many psychiatric disorders are characterised by poor sleep, which is often regarded as a side effect of the underlying disorder. However, it's also true that sleep disturbance can often lead to greater susceptibility to mental illness and confusion, and more acute symptoms. Take Alzheimer's for example. People often wake and wander at night. This poor sleep actually intensifies the confusion they experience during the day. If sleep can be improved in these people, daytime cognitive function can be optimised.
Clinicians are therefore coming around to the idea that improving sleep as a priority, in many cases, improves a person's general function and chances of recovery and reduces relapse risk.
Indeed, many psychiatric disorders are characterised by poor sleep, which is often regarded as a side effect of the underlying disorder. However, it's also true that sleep disturbance can often lead to greater susceptibility to mental illness and confusion, and more acute symptoms. Take Alzheimer's for example. People often wake and wander at night. This poor sleep actually intensifies the confusion they experience during the day. If sleep can be improved in these people, daytime cognitive function can be optimised.
Clinicians are therefore coming around to the idea that improving sleep as a priority, in many cases, improves a person's general function and chances of recovery and reduces relapse risk.
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