Latest news with #AlisonBentley
IOL News
08-07-2025
- Health
- IOL News
The links between sleep and mental health
Anxiety, depression and poor sleep are closely linked, and in many cases, the underlying sleep disorder remains undiagnosed – worsening people's mental health and quality of life. According to Dr Alison Bentley, medical doctor at the Restonic Ezintsha Sleep Clinic in Johannesburg, the relationship between sleep and mental health is complex, but worth understanding to improve both. 'Sleep is like servicing the car of your brain and body – and it needs to happen every night,' says Dr Bentley. 'Poor sleep doesn't just make you tired; it affects your mood, memory, focus and self-confidence, and can increase your risk of developing depression and anxiety for years to come,' she said. Restonic SA is the largest bed manufacturer in southern Africa and is on a mission to help people understand the power of sleep. Through the Restonic Ezintsha Sleep Clinic, it aims to support local sleep research and training for medical professionals. Adéle de la Reÿ, Group Marketing Manager for Sleep Group, Restonic SA's parent company, says sleep remains an undervalued aspect of health, including mental health. 'Dr Bentley has taught me that mental health challenges and sleep disorders often exist in a 'chicken and egg' relationship,' she says. 'Anxiety and depression can cause sleep disruption, while insomnia and other sleep disorders like sleep apnoea or restless legs syndrome can also trigger or worsen mental health issues. That's why it's so important to draw attention to the relationship between sleep and mental health. More and more young people are turning to platforms like TikTok for mental health support, and while this is helping to remove the stigma around mental health challenges, it also means that misinformation is flourishing.' Restonic is working with Dr Bentley to make credible medical information relating to sleep more accessible, whether for young people, the working population, or organisations looking to understand the role that sleep health plays in employee productivity and engagement. This includes a podcast series on sleep health, corporate health screening, and partnering with schools to work with educators and parents. De la Reÿ says that addressing sleep offers potential benefits to every area of health. 'Many people put their tiredness down to work stress, parenting, or just life. But sometimes it's a sleep disorder – and left untreated, that can do long-term damage to both physical and mental health,' she warns. Sleep disorders have been linked to higher risks of cardiovascular disease, obesity, dementia, and even earlier onset of diabetes. 'Sleep also influences mental health in a big way, and we're trying to draw attention to that.' For example, Dr Bentley references a study that followed doctors who had battled to sleep during exams and found they had a higher risk of depression – even 35 years later. Dr Bentley explains that insomnia – defined as getting too little sleep to function properly – is not a one-size-fits-all condition. Acute insomnia, often triggered by stress or illness, can become chronic if not treated early. Secondary insomnia occurs alongside conditions like arthritis, depression or anxiety. And when insomnia persists for three months or more, even after the original trigger is gone, it is classified as insomnia disorder – a self-sustaining condition that often requires its own targeted treatment. While sleeping tablets may help in the short term, they don't solve the root of the problem. For long-term improvement, Dr Bentley recommends Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia (CBTI) – a proven, non-medication-based programme that addresses unhelpful sleep habits, thoughts and behaviours. 'There are free CBTI apps available, and seeing a trained professional can be life-changing,' she says. 'From August the Restonic Ezintsha sleep clinic will be taking bookings for an insomnia assessment clinic as well as a face-to-face CBT-I clinic charged at medical aid rates.' Dr Bentley highlights lesser-known links between mood and other sleep disorders. She explains that restless legs syndrome and sleep apnoea – a condition where breathing is repeatedly interrupted during sleep – can rob the body of deep, restorative sleep and leave people exhausted, irritable and vulnerable to depression. 'In men, sleep apnoea is a common but often missed cause of midlife depression,' she says. 'If you're waking up tired despite getting a full night's sleep, it may be time to get checked. A simple questionnaire or overnight sleep study can make all the difference.' 'Insomnia or poor sleep shouldn't just be seen as a symptom of mental health issues – they're often contributing to or even causing them,' Dr Bentley says. 'Treating both sleep and mood problems simultaneously leads to better outcomes all round. If you're struggling with sleep or feeling overwhelmed, don't wait. There is help. Better sleep can be a powerful step toward better mental health.'
TimesLIVE
22-05-2025
- Health
- TimesLIVE
ADHD vs sleep deprivation: what your teen really is struggling with
The symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have become a popular conversation topic on the internet. While this may be an attempt at normalising conversations concerning mental health, it can often lead to misdiagnosis — something that has been considered by medical doctor Alison Bentley. Speaking recently at the Education Incorporated Private School, Bentley said it's important to note sleep history, especially with teens. Here are three important factors to consider when it comes to differentiating between ADHD and a lack of sleep. Bringing sleep into the ADHD conversation Bentley cautioned against the widespread tendency to overlook sleep problems in teens presenting with ADHD-like symptoms. 'We have to ask whether a teenager is inattentive or simply sleep-deprived,' she said. 'It's not uncommon for teens to be medicated without a proper sleep history being taken.' She explained that delayed sleep phase syndrome, which is a biological shift in teenagers' internal clocks, causes adolescents to become naturally sleepy much later than expected — often leading to sleep deprivation when forced to wake early for school. 'These children aren't lazy or defiant — they're on London time, not South African time,' noted principal Gershom Aitchison. 'If we continue to ignore their biology, we're setting them up for failure.' Bentley echoed this sentiment. 'Sleep is a passive activity that requires letting go — and that's very difficult when you're anxious or when your natural rhythm is out of sync with your schedule. We need to stop treating sleep as optional or secondary. The other two-thirds of your life depend on what happens in that one-third of sleep.' Other factors affecting teens' sleep Teens' sleep can also be compromised by caffeine abuse, overuse of screens and the pressures of school performance. Amy Dewes-Goulborn, a psychologist working in a high school environment, expressed concern about the growing number of teenagers relying on energy drinks and late-night device use — behaviours that further disrupt sleep and can be misinterpreted as psychiatric conditions. Practical insights were shared from the classroom, too. Aitchison reflected on the success of school camps, where increased physical activity and structured routines reduced students' reliance on sleep medication. 'We also allow students to eat when they're hungry at school,' he said. 'Their digestive systems are on a delayed wake-up, just like their brains — so we listen to the body.' Parental involvement Bentley emphasised the need for education — not just for teenagers, but for their parents and the healthcare system. 'No child should be medicated for ADHD without a thorough conversation about their sleep. And parents need support to understand that setting boundaries around bedtime isn't just discipline — it's an act of care.' She also highlighted the importance of giving teenagers agency. 'Teens respond when we ask, 'Does this make sense to you?' or 'Can you follow this plan?' They need knowledge, and they need to feel seen. When we hand them some control, their anxiety drops — and so does the need for intervention.' The speakers agreed that there is a need for more honest conversations, more informed medical referrals, and for sleep to be treated not as a luxury but as a cornerstone of wellbeing. 'We need to stop medicating away symptoms without asking why they're there. If we get sleep right, we change everything — from mood and focus to health and academic success,' concluded Bentley.
The South African
29-04-2025
- Health
- The South African
Half of SA's workforce sleep-deprived, study reveals
Research suggests that workplace sleep deprivation in South Africa is no longer just a personal health concern. it's a rising occupational issue with serious economic consequences. Recent estimates indicate that nearly 50% of employees may be battling fatigue due to poor sleep. Dr Alison Bentley, a leading sleep expert and Restonic SA consultant, warns that this growing trend of workplace sleep deprivation in South Africa is quietly undermining productivity across various sectors. Sleep is foundational to cognitive performance, memory, decision-making, and even emotional regulation,' she explains. When workers are consistently sleep-deprived, it affects the entire organisation.' Workplace fatigue doesn't just result in yawns and slower mornings. It can lead to costly errors, presenteeism, poor judgment, and safety hazards. Dr Bentley references global modelling data, which estimates that sleep deprivation may cost South Africa over R40 billion annually. While this data is not specific to South Africa alone, it paints a startling picture of the economic toll sleep-related issues may have. Industries like healthcare, transport, and manufacturing are particularly at risk, where sleep-related lapses could cause not only productivity loss but also life-threatening errors. Chronic sleep deprivation has also been linked to increased sick leave, burnout, and high staff turnover, all of which further drain company resources. Unfortunately, many local workplaces still dismiss poor sleep as a personal problem. However, fatigue-related underperformance is often systemic and fuelled by stress, long hours, screen overuse, and a lack of work-life boundaries. Restonic SA believes it's time for employers to acknowledge sleep as a key pillar of occupational health. Monique van der Walt, head of marketing at Restonic SA, says, 'Employers are starting to understand that healthy, well-rested employees are more productive and engaged.' Workplace sleep deprivation in South Africa is often overlooked, despite evidence suggesting it affects a significant portion of the working population. To better understand the scale of the problem, some companies have begun using sleep screenings to identify common disorders such as insomnia, restless leg syndrome, and sleep apnoea, an issue estimated to affect up to 41% of South African adults aged 39 to 69, according to global modelling. While not a substitute for medical care, these initiatives aim to raise awareness and encourage early intervention. As sleep expert Van der Walt notes, 'It's not about taking on the role of a doctor. It's about starting conversations and offering support where it matters.' Let us know by leaving a comment below or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
