How Does Insomnia Affect Our Mental Health?

Lisa Franchi June 18, 2013

Insomnia is a sleep disorder in which there is inability to fall asleep or stay asleep for as long as desired. One in three people in UK are thought to have insomnia at some point in their life. Whilst it is dealt with as a health condition on its own, more often than not, insomnia is not really the problem, but a consequence of a much worrisome mental health disorder.

It is difficult to define what normal sleeping pattern is as everyone is different. Sleep is affected by several factors, such as age, lifestyle, diet and environment. Doctors make use of symptom-based approach when diagnosing patients for insomnia. Signs to watch out include difficulty falling asleep, waking up several times through the night and having difficulty getting back to sleep, waking up too early in the morning, and feeling restless upon waking.

How does insomnia affect our well-being?

Insomnia is more than annoying and should never be ignored as it can become a very serious medical condition. People with insomnia are 10 times more likely to develop depression as those who have normal sleeping patterns. It doesn’t just promote a feeling of restlessness but also makes it hard for a person to concentrate at work. Insomnia sufferers rarely have the energy to carry on with their usual routines. They are also more likely to become irritable, anxious and prone to other negative emotions, which in turn aggravate their condition and expose them to more serious mental illnesses.

Insomnia may also cause people to gain weight which in turn affects their self image. Sleep lowers the production of ghrelin – a hormone that boosts appetite, and stimulates leptin – the hormone that makes you feel full longer.

Furthermore, insomnia also exposes us to other health problems such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease. Recently, a Norwegian study published in the European Heart Journal found that people who get several nights of poor sleep were more likely to suffer from heart failure.

What often causes insomnia?

There are many things we do that affect our sleeping patterns. Among the most common causes are stress, anxiety disorder, and medication. Insomnia is also a known symptom of depression and post traumatic stress disorder. In fact, about 80 per cent of people with depression also suffer from insomnia. Our daytime habits may also play a role in raising our risk of insomnia. For example, having dinner late, sleeping in an uncomfortable environment, observing irregular bedtime schedule, lack of physical activity and poor diet may all lead to sleep disorders, such as insomnia.

Our work could also be a risk factor for insomnia. People who travel and cross time zones for work and those who are in a rotating shift are more prone to sleeping disorders.

Women are generally more prone to insomnia than men. That is because of the hormonal changes that come along with menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and menopause. Another thing, women are more likely to develop conditions that cause insomnia, such as fibromyalgia and restless legs syndrome.

Therapies for Insomnia

There are several treatments that are proven effective to ward off insomnia. Among the most popular are sleeping pills, cognitive behavioural therapy, and counselling. Whilst medications provide a ‘quick fix’ for sleeplessness, it doesn’t provide long-term benefits as it does not target the root cause of the condition. What’s more, sleeping aids have been found to be addictive. Some insomnia sufferers develop dependency on sleeping drugs. And like most medications, sleeping pills do have side effects too. They make you breathe more slowly and less deeply, which is not good for those who have respiratory problems like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Last year, US researchers found that people taking sleeping pills had up to five times higher risk of death. Their study was published in the British Medical Journal Open.

Because of the increasing evidence on the risks of sleeping drugs, more and more insomnia sufferers are resorting to psychotherapy, particularly counselling and cognitive behavioural therapy. Through it, they learn more effective strategies to promote sleep, including relaxation exercises and lifestyle changes. The therapist can also help patients determine the underlying causes of insomnia – whether it’s stress, depression, or any other mental disorder.

Some people use the mindfulness-approach to treat insomnia. Meditation has emerged to be a good tool for stress reduction and emotion regulation. This ancient technique promotes calmness and relaxation – key factors for a restful sleep.

What other effective techniques can you suggest to promote quality sleep? Feel free to post your comment below.