Ask a Doc: A Deeper Look Into Waking Up Tired All The Time

Do you often go through the day feeling sleepy and sluggish, even after a full night's rest? While it's common to occasionally feel lethargic during the day, persistent symptoms could mean something more. We ask a doctor on what the possible reasons are for waking up tired.

�There are many reasons why some people wake up feeling tired, even after a full night�s worth of sleep.

Dr. Gurdeep shares the example of a patient he recently treated. �Mrs. P is 48 years old, married with 3 kids and works as an administrator. She came into my clinic as her GP (General Practitioner) had run out of stock of sleeping pills, and won�t be able to restock for the next few months. She is completely reliant on these pills for the past 8 years to help her sleep. So, you can imagine the state of anxiety and despair she was in, when she heard that her GP will not be able to supply her with sleeping pills for the next few months!�

According to Dr. Gurdeep, psychosocial stressors that are behind a psychological problem are difficult to manage, as it is sometimes not within an individual�s control. �Treatment for anxiety disorder adopts a multi-disciplinary approach, just like treating any other psychological ailment. We look at a holistic treatment based on the bio-psycho-social model, and it�s personalized according to the client and the severity of the issue. Some forms of treatment are counseling, cognitive and behavior therapy, or medication, in some cases,�

How does Dr. Gurdeep differentiate between a patient who genuinely has an underlying issue versus someone who just hasn�t got enough sleep? �We take a look at their detailed medical and psychiatric history. These will be sufficient to tell whether the patient has an underlying health condition or not. In certain cases, I will consult a physician or an ENT surgeon, and we may run some tests or a sleep study, when the case calls for it.� 

For better sleep and rest at night, Dr. Gurdeep also educates his clients on ways to improve their sleep hygiene. Here are some ways you can have better sleep at night: