Perceived Racism, Depression and Sleep
I recently read a fascinating new study which was performed at BYU where perceived racism was shown to be related to sleep difficulties and depression in Hispanic immigrants.
In the study the authors wrote:
Knowing that quality of sleep is tied to physical effects like blood pressure and the immune system, the author hopes to find a causal relationship. But in his advice I felt he falls short.
The author states that when feeling depression from perceived racism you need to seek counseling, which I completely agree with. However he never speaks to one's sleep habits.
I say yes go to counseling, but also look at your sleep. Are you making sure you have a good sleep schedule? Is your bedroom a good sleep environment? Are you adhering to cultural differences in sleep that your body has gotten used to over the years (like a Siesta)? If these are also problems, think about a dual treatment track both counseling and sleep.
Related Topics: Sleep Lifestyle Quiz, Tired and Sleepless
Technorati Tags: hispanics, depression, sleepdisorders, sleephabits
In the study the authors wrote:
"We found that perceived racism impacts the quality of their sleep and that disturbed sleep is related to depression," explained lead author Patrick Steffen, assistant professor of clinical psychology. "Individuals who have experienced racism could be thinking about what happened the previous day, feeling stressed about their ability to succeed when being judged by something other than merit -- skin tone or a different way of speaking. Sleep is the pathway through which racism affects depression."
Knowing that quality of sleep is tied to physical effects like blood pressure and the immune system, the author hopes to find a causal relationship. But in his advice I felt he falls short.
The author states that when feeling depression from perceived racism you need to seek counseling, which I completely agree with. However he never speaks to one's sleep habits.
I say yes go to counseling, but also look at your sleep. Are you making sure you have a good sleep schedule? Is your bedroom a good sleep environment? Are you adhering to cultural differences in sleep that your body has gotten used to over the years (like a Siesta)? If these are also problems, think about a dual treatment track both counseling and sleep.
Related Topics: Sleep Lifestyle Quiz, Tired and Sleepless
Technorati Tags: hispanics, depression, sleepdisorders, sleephabits
4 Comments:
Although I am not Hispanic (I am Black) I cried when I read this. I have been the victim of racism. At night the words that the racist said run through my head over and over. I wish I could turn it off but so far I have been unable to. It is the most painful thing I have ever experienced. I will never be the same again.
Racism depresses me. It makes me to not want to support the society we live in. I would sacrifice my own physical and mental well being knowing that I am not part of the racist machine.
I am hispanic, and I've experienced more racism in a short period of time living in the south by black people than I can emotionally handle. I've had a few dreams that usually lasted what seemed to be all night long and there were usually many emotions that ran through them. I usually felt better in the morning but then had to face the day and those people again. I know not all black people are this way but it just so happens to be that I am living in a place where the majority are. I've been lied about, accused, abused and become the one that silences the room when I walk in so people can laugh and ignore. It has affected me and I have become depressed and my sleep pattern has definitly taken a toll. Some day I hope to find that place again that didn't care what people thought and remember how strong I really am.
I don't know what so called "perceived racism is" However, as a victim of racism every day in the great state of Georgia US of A. I have many issues with sleep. However for me it is more so am I going to die today. By the police or by mentally destroyed blacks. Racism is rampant in this country. And for a black male, being the scapegoat for every conceivable negative event in history. It is hard to not have some level of difficulty mentally in this land. This excluding being locked out economically from most areas. I lost belief in this country long ago. america is very much a lie for me. I am trying to leave america forever, as i have no chance here. I do hope that all of the wrong done to so many will be paid back to White America one day. Such will come to pass, perhaps sooner that people think.
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