Sleep is one of the most crucial building blocks to the foundation of a healthy life. When it comes to those with a mental or behavioral diagnosis, sleep can play an even bigger role in their health.

At the Nationwide Children’s Hospital, physicians say they have detected several changes in sleeping patterns around the transition into daylight saving time, which can particularly target patients with a mental health diagnosis.

Bhaskar Nair, of Nationwide Children’s Hospital, explained that patients should keep in mind the impact transitioning into daylight savings time can have on the youth.

“As we prepare to spring forward this weekend, doctors remind parents about the impact the time change can have on children,” Nair said. “Losing an hour of sleep can throw off natural rhythms and schedules of any kid, but it is a more complicated issue for those with a mental health disorder.”

Dr. Robert Kowatch, MD, Ph.D, child and adolescent psychiatrist and sleep medicine specialist at Nationwide Children’s, said that those with mental health issues may find the quality of their sleep hindered by the transition into daylight savings time.

“Sleep is a more complicated issue for patients with a mental health disorder,” said Kowatch.

“Different conditions affect sleep differently, as do various medications for these conditions and their related side effects. These patients may be more sensitive to time changes than the typical child or teen.”

Amy Pascarella, manager of the Sleep Disorder Center at Bradford Regional Medical Center, said, “chronic insufficient sleep can lead to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, depression, obesity and depression as well as other health issues.”

Dr. Douglas Kirsch –– president of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine –– said, “The change to daylight saving time can disrupt your sleep pattern, making it more difficult to get sufficient sleep for up to a week,” said Kirsch. “This sleep disruption can impair your productivity, alertness and mood, and it may increase your risk of driving drowsy, especially if you don’t get plenty of sleep during the week leading up to the time change.”

The AASM suggests those with difficulty adjusting to the time change to try the following:

Get at minimum seven hours of sleep for adults or eight hours of sleep for teens per night before and after the time change. Gradually adjust sleep and wake times beginning two to three nights before the time change. Shift bedtime 15-20 minutes earlier each night. For a few days, before the time change, begin to adjust the timing of other daily routines that are “time cues” for one’s body. For example, start eating dinner a little earlier each night. Set clocks ahead one hour in the early evening on Saturday night then go to sleep at normal bedtime.

Early Sunday morning, go outside for early sunlight if it can be found. The bright light will help regulate sleep and alertness. Sunday night, go to bed earlier in order to get plenty of sleep before the week begins on Monday.

Children and teens with bipolar disorder often sleep less when in either a manic or hypomanic state. The change in time may disrupt the circadian rhythm, the body’s biological clock, of a person with bipolar disorder –– possibly triggering a manic episode. Depression may make it more difficult for a child to fall asleep and stay asleep. Teens with anxiety often struggle with insomnia because their innate anxiety makes it difficult to relax and fall asleep.

Children with autism tend to sleep one to two hours less than other children their age, and they also wake up earlier, although researchers currently do not know the cause of this trend.

In some patients with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, stimulant medications can cause “rebound hyperactivity” close to bedtime, making it difficult for them to fall asleep.

“With many medications, an impact on sleep is a possible side effect, from interfering with

falling asleep to resulting in next-day drowsiness,” said Dr. Kowatch, also a professor of

psychiatry at The Ohio State University College of Medicine. “Parents and patients should

create a plan with their clinician, and make sure dose schedules and amounts are properly

followed, such as taking a longer-lasting dose earlier in the day followed by a shorter-lasting dose later in the day, so a stimulant can wear off – if necessary – in time for bed to allow for

restful sleep.”

To get help for a sleep problem, talk to a primary care provider or the BRMC Sleep Center at 362-8732.