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Biological clock and its effect on mental health

الساعة البيولوجية
Biological clock and its effect on mental health
It is a matter of great importance; Not only because of its significant impact on physical health, but also because this effect sometimes extends to mental health, and this is what will make us talk in this article about the relationship between the association of a defect in the body and the occurrence of mental and mood disorders, in addition to an increased risk of depression and bipolar disorder.
How does it affect mood?
The circadian clock within us plays a role in how we feel uplifted or down and distracted. Also, people with mood disorders such as depression, bipolar disorder and seasonal affective disorder may need to alter their circadian rhythms.
Sleep disturbances, whether sleeping too much or sleeping too little, are a major symptom of depression and other mood disorders.
What is the relationship between the biological clock and mood?
The relationship between body rhythms and mood is a complex one, and it is clear that it has to do with the chemical compounds present in the human brain in relation to the morning and evening cycle and throughout the year as the days become longer and shorter.
Circadian rhythms in mental health have been linked to conditions such as Alzheimer’s and even autism spectrum disorder, and some studies have confirmed that a disrupted circadian rhythm can be a strong predictor of the development of age-related mild cognitive impairment, and even dementia.
biological clock and depression
There is a lot of evidence for the relationship between mood problems and circadian rhythm through studies in the field, as well as those whose sleep periods are out of sync with their circadian rhythm.
And what multiple studies have shown is the increased prevalence of depression among those who are alert with night shifts. Research was conducted on these people and it was proved that about 40% of them are more likely to develop depression compared to those who practice their daily activities during the day.
Conversely, circadian rhythm disturbances are common in depressed people, who often experience changes in their sleep pattern, hormonal rhythms, as well as body temperature rhythms.
Symptoms of depression are also similar to the circadian rhythm, with some people having more severe symptoms in the morning and the severity of a person’s depression correlating with the degree of disruption between circadian and sleep cycles.
There are many successful treatments for depression associated with a change in the circadian clock, including bright light therapy, mindfulness therapy, and treating personal and social systems directly on circadian rhythms. You can discuss this with your doctor to determine which one is right for you and work out a treatment plan.
Biological clock and anxiety
Disruption of the circadian clock and circadian rhythm may also cause anxiety. It causes excessive sleepiness during the day, which in turn leads to malaise and affects the individual’s ability to function normally.
Travel also changes the time of the external environment so that it is no longer synchronized with the internal clock and disrupts sleep, which makes circadian rhythm disruption more prevalent in travelers who suffer from high levels of anxiety and depression.
Seasonal affective disorder and the circadian clock
In seasonal affective disorder, people feel frustrated and depressed in the winter or summer months and researchers believe this is due to changes in circadian rhythms as a result of seasonal changes in the length of daylight or vice versa.
People with seasonal affective disorder feel better using the morning light to realign their circadian rhythm with the sleep-wake cycle.
How can I change the system or type of my biological clock?
There is no way to change the type of your biological clock since it may be one of your genetics and although there are some natural changes that occur during your lifetime. For example, our daily sleep stages tend to shift during adolescence and progress earlier as we age. in age.
But what may help you is to consult a psychiatrist, who in turn, through his studies and experience, will give you tips and steps that you must follow so that you can adjust your biological clock and not allow it to affect your lifestyle, especially from the emotional side or in the event that it caused you some disorders such as depression or Anxiety will help your doctor get over it.
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