Why is OCD Worse at Night?

Many people with OCD find the symptoms are more difficult to deal with as you are trying to get to sleep. Intrusive thoughts a primary cause of preventing people with OCD from being able to relax and drift off into a peaceful night’s sleep. The stillness of the night almost shines a spotlight on mental compulsions that makes them even more difficult for those with OCD to ignore. Along with the support of a trained therapist in Hendon or Canary Wharf however, you can learn to create better coping mechanisms that mitigate the effects of OCD on your sleeping habits.

A 2021 study by BMC Psychiatry showed that nearly half of the OCD sufferers involved in the study reported sleep disturbances in comparison with those who did not have a mental health disorder. There is a vicious cycle of OCD preventing people from falling asleep and sleep deprivation aggravating the symptoms of disorder. It is both unfortunate and distressing for the sufferer as sufficient sleep helps the mind to manage OCD better. Good sleep hygiene is beneficial for mental health in general, but for those with anxiety and OCD, getting the required 8 hours of sleep is much-needed chance for the nervous system to regulate itself. If you book in with a therapist in Hendon, or in our Canary Wharf clinics, the importance of allowing yourself to rest will be further emphasised to you and the anxiety that prevents you from resting will be empathised with.

People suffering from OCD also tend towards ‘rumination’, whereby they dwell repeatedly on thoughts in an attempt to gain control over how they feel. Naturally, this contributes towards being unable to sleep at night. Our therapists in Hendon and Canary Wharf have a deep understanding of OCD, so several therapies are offered as treatment according to how the individual case is presenting and how the sufferer wants to treat it. These include Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), CBT, Solution Focused Therapy, Mindfulness and EMDR. As ever, the person seeking therapy has a say in how their therapy is delivered.

Please contact our welcoming team today by calling 02080884818 or emailing info@bridgestherapycentre.com if you want any further information on mitigating OCD, anxiety, depression or another mental health problem.