Why sleep is central to psychiatric care
Almost every mental health condition affects sleep, and poor sleep makes almost every condition harder to treat. Addressing sleep is often one of the fastest ways to help someone feel more like themselves.
- Trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking too early
- Racing thoughts or worry at bedtime
- Nightmares, including trauma-related nightmares
- Sleep schedules thrown off by ADHD, shift work or screen habits
- Daytime exhaustion despite enough time in bed
- Sleep problems caused or worsened by medications
Our approach
Rather than reaching straight for a sleeping pill, we look for the reasons sleep is disrupted:
- Underlying anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, PTSD or ADHD
- Medication timing and side effects
- Caffeine, alcohol, nicotine and other substances
- Sleep habits, light exposure and schedule consistency, including in Arizona's long, hot summers when routines often shift late into the night
- Signs of a medical sleep disorder, such as sleep apnea or restless legs, that need evaluation by a sleep specialist or primary care clinician
What treatment may include
- Treating the underlying psychiatric condition
- Adjusting the timing or choice of current medications
- Principles of CBT for insomnia (CBT-I), the recommended first-line treatment for chronic insomnia, and referral to a CBT-I provider when helpful
- Medication for sleep when appropriate, favoring options with lower risk of dependence
- Referral for a sleep study when a medical sleep disorder is suspected
Sleep also connects closely with metabolic health →
Common questions
Will you prescribe sleeping pills?
Sometimes medication is part of the plan, but we start by understanding why sleep is disrupted. Many effective approaches don't involve habit-forming sleep medications.
Do you diagnose sleep apnea?
No. If symptoms suggest sleep apnea or another medical sleep disorder, we'll recommend evaluation with your primary care provider or a sleep specialist.
Can you help my child's sleep?
Yes, when sleep problems relate to anxiety, ADHD, mood or medications. We'll work with parents on practical routines and coordinate with your pediatrician.