Hundreds of people in Ahmedabad, including scores of adolescents, are losing their sleep every day, literally, over their aspirations to make it big in their pursuits. If 45-year-old Hasmukh Shah is spending sleepless nights due to the swings in the share market, so is 15-year-old Neha Sharma, a student of one of the most prominent schools of the city, who is unable to catch up with her sleep worrying all the time about her academic performance.
Amdavadis are paying a price for their quest to make a place for themselves putting their health at risk insomnia afflicts at least 50 per cent of the populace here. Doctors refer to insomnia as a silent epidemic that is affecting more and more people every day.In fact, Neha Sharma represents a growing class of insomniacs. "Not a healthy trend at all," remarks clinical psychologist with the Apollo Hospital, Puja Pushkarna. She informs that according to a study undertaken by St Xavier's College some years back, of the 70 students from leading schools of the city taken as a sample, 90 per cent were found to be suffering from depression.
"Almost all of them informed ofanxiety-induced sleeplessness," she elaborates. This is just the tip of the iceberg considering most of the cases in children and adolescents go undetected, says Vastrapur-based psychiatrist Amita Saxena."Increasing competition among peers, high expectations of parents, and lack of support system to turn back to is giving these youngsters a tough time," adds pediatrician Dr Hasmukh Patel.
As for adults, the unending desire to score better in their professional pursuits is taking toll on their naps. Psychiatrist Vinod Goyal gives a specific example to put across his point. "Gujaratis have a knack for share market. If there is a boom in the share market, they get thrilled that their Rs 10 is now valued at Rs 400. Then they lose sleep if the share falls down to Rs 300. They don't appreciate that their Rs 10 has grown to Rs 300. People seem to have stopped appreciating their present," he remarks.
Psychiatrist with the Sterling Hospital Dr Hemang Desai adds that the changing lifestyle of the city is compounding the problem. Erratic working hours, insecurity in job and relationships, too much of touring and partying for long hours are eating out on everyone's sleeping hours. Those in the BPO and call centres are most vulnerable to insomnia. "Even addiction to the SMS fad at late hours is seen to be disturbing the sleep pattern," observes Ms Pushkarna.
Although insomnia is not a disease, doctors observe that it should be addressed before psychosomatic disorders develop, be it with regard to eating disorders, constipation, rise in blood pressure or even mood swings. Psychologists insist that medication is not the solution to check insomnia "since in most cases people get hooked on to sleep-inducing drugs". For children and adolescents, it is up to parents to address their insecurities, be it with regard to studies or relationships.
As for adults, they need to control their insecurities and check their anxieties that are overpowering their mind and affecting their health. People need to shut their mind to everything and sleep with a positive thought, suggests clinical psychologist Dr Pratima Bhattacharjee. Physical activities like aerobics and yoga helps cure insomnia, say experts.
Amdavadis are paying a price for their quest to make a place for themselves putting their health at risk insomnia afflicts at least 50 per cent of the populace here. Doctors refer to insomnia as a silent epidemic that is affecting more and more people every day.In fact, Neha Sharma represents a growing class of insomniacs. "Not a healthy trend at all," remarks clinical psychologist with the Apollo Hospital, Puja Pushkarna. She informs that according to a study undertaken by St Xavier's College some years back, of the 70 students from leading schools of the city taken as a sample, 90 per cent were found to be suffering from depression.
"Almost all of them informed ofanxiety-induced sleeplessness," she elaborates. This is just the tip of the iceberg considering most of the cases in children and adolescents go undetected, says Vastrapur-based psychiatrist Amita Saxena."Increasing competition among peers, high expectations of parents, and lack of support system to turn back to is giving these youngsters a tough time," adds pediatrician Dr Hasmukh Patel.
As for adults, the unending desire to score better in their professional pursuits is taking toll on their naps. Psychiatrist Vinod Goyal gives a specific example to put across his point. "Gujaratis have a knack for share market. If there is a boom in the share market, they get thrilled that their Rs 10 is now valued at Rs 400. Then they lose sleep if the share falls down to Rs 300. They don't appreciate that their Rs 10 has grown to Rs 300. People seem to have stopped appreciating their present," he remarks.
Psychiatrist with the Sterling Hospital Dr Hemang Desai adds that the changing lifestyle of the city is compounding the problem. Erratic working hours, insecurity in job and relationships, too much of touring and partying for long hours are eating out on everyone's sleeping hours. Those in the BPO and call centres are most vulnerable to insomnia. "Even addiction to the SMS fad at late hours is seen to be disturbing the sleep pattern," observes Ms Pushkarna.
Although insomnia is not a disease, doctors observe that it should be addressed before psychosomatic disorders develop, be it with regard to eating disorders, constipation, rise in blood pressure or even mood swings. Psychologists insist that medication is not the solution to check insomnia "since in most cases people get hooked on to sleep-inducing drugs". For children and adolescents, it is up to parents to address their insecurities, be it with regard to studies or relationships.
As for adults, they need to control their insecurities and check their anxieties that are overpowering their mind and affecting their health. People need to shut their mind to everything and sleep with a positive thought, suggests clinical psychologist Dr Pratima Bhattacharjee. Physical activities like aerobics and yoga helps cure insomnia, say experts.