How Certain Substances Can Affect Your Mental Health
Discover Magazine recently looked at how caffeine and alcohol can impact a person’s mental health. As noted in the article, substances like caffeine and alcohol consumed in excess can directly affect a person’s mental health. Overconsumption of these substances “can exacerbate underlying mental health issues like anxiety depression.”
One of the biggest concerns comes with how these substances can affect a person’s sleep. Getting an adequate amount of sleep is important to a person’s overall wellbeing. Lack of sleep has been linked with a number of mental health disorders including depression and bipolar disorder, according to the article.
A vast majority of people who suffer from mental health issues also have sleep disorders. A Harvard Medical School article illuminates the interconnectivity between sleep and mental health. According to the publication, “Sleep problems are common in patients with anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).”
The Discover Magazine article also warns it isn’t just alcohol and caffeine that can directly affect a person’s mental health or intensify underlying conditions. Over-the-counter drugs can take a toll. As recommended in the article, it is extremely important to discuss all medications with a medical professional particularly if you are taking a prescription to help with “depression, bipolar disorder or another mental health condition.”
The pandemic has left very few people untouched. Whether you have been sickened by the actual virus, lost a loved one, suffered financial hardship, or experienced a mental health issue, nearly everyone across the globe has been impacted. It is imperative to know that even during these challenging times there are options for treatment. Substance use disorders, mental health disorders, and sleep disorders can all go hand in hand. It is important to be honest about how you are consuming potentially dangerous substances and how you are feeling. Now more than ever mental health must be at the forefront.