A recent study by researchers from the University of Pittsburgh and Italy revealed common patterns of sleep disorders and anomalies in the daily cycles of rest and activity of patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorder (SSD). The findings of the study were published in the journal Molecular Psychiatry.
The scientists monitored the body movement and acceleration of 250 participants, comprising of almost 150 SSD Patients in both residential hospital settings and outpatient setting. It was discovered that the patients suffering from SSD had problems in falling asleep and getting rest. Additionally, medications prescribed to the patients to manage the condition caused their sleep to last up to 15 hours in a day, which created bigger problems with respect to their SSD symptoms.
Researchers found that both types of patients, those living in a psychiatric hospital and those living in an outpatient setting, had similar problems with their sleep. They had irregular sleep patterns, alterations between sleep and wake cycles, and excessively fixed daily routines, which all ultimately correlated to poorer SSD symptoms and a decreased quality of life. According to Dr. Fabio Ferrarelli, senior author of the study, “Regulating sleep-wake cycles is important for your overall health, and our findings can be extended to people without underlying mental health conditions. Most people can benefit from better sleep hygiene and paying attention to their daily routines by incorporating activity and variety into their daily lives.”
The scientists also found that a rigid daily routine correlated to a greater degree of mental health symptoms for residential patients with schizophrenia, which emphasizes why it is important to maintain balance with life. Too much sleep can have bad effects on the patient’s SSD symptoms, which is why it is necessary to be mindful of the harmful effects of sedatives that are prescribed in higher quantities than necessary to patients.
The University of Pittsburgh and Italy have demonstrated just how vital it is to look after one’s overall health, especially mental health. Various steps can be taken to improve sleep hygiene for people with and without underlying mental health issues. This includes consistently keeping track of sleep patterns, avoiding excessive sedatives, and incorporating variety into one’s daily routine. Furthermore, a balanced lifestyle can go a long way in ensuring an improved quality of life.
