Table of ContentsTable of ContentsExpandSleep and Your Mental HealthBrain FogMood ChangesBehavior ChangesStressPsychotic SymptomsMental Health ConditionsGetting HelpCoping With InsomniaView All
Table of ContentsExpandSleep and Your Mental HealthBrain FogMood ChangesBehavior ChangesStressPsychotic SymptomsMental Health ConditionsGetting HelpCoping With InsomniaView All
Table of ContentsExpandSleep and Your Mental HealthBrain FogMood ChangesBehavior ChangesStressPsychotic SymptomsMental Health ConditionsGetting HelpCoping With Insomnia
Table of ContentsExpand
Expand
Sleep and Your Mental Health
Brain Fog
Mood Changes
Behavior Changes
Stress
Psychotic Symptoms
Mental Health Conditions
Getting Help
Coping With Insomnia
View All
Mind Over MattressFeeling ill-rested? Well, let’s hit the snooze button and properly catch you up on one of our favorite topics: sleep. From uncovering the benefits of sleep on longevity and mental health to figuring out how to calculate our accumulated sleep debt, this collection of articles serves you all the tools you need to prioritize some quality zzzs.In This Spotlight:Why It’s Harder to Sleep As You AgeHow to Ditch Poor Sleep HygieneWhat Better Sleep Can Do for Your LongevityHow Bedtime Meditation Can Help Turn Your Brain Off at NightIs Sleep Debt Something You Should Worry About?Can a Better Night’s Sleep Boost Your Memory?How to Optimize Your Sleep Positions for Your WellbeingWhat Can a Sleep Study Tell You?
Mind Over Mattress
Feeling ill-rested? Well, let’s hit the snooze button and properly catch you up on one of our favorite topics: sleep. From uncovering the benefits of sleep on longevity and mental health to figuring out how to calculate our accumulated sleep debt, this collection of articles serves you all the tools you need to prioritize some quality zzzs.In This Spotlight:Why It’s Harder to Sleep As You AgeHow to Ditch Poor Sleep HygieneWhat Better Sleep Can Do for Your LongevityHow Bedtime Meditation Can Help Turn Your Brain Off at NightIs Sleep Debt Something You Should Worry About?Can a Better Night’s Sleep Boost Your Memory?How to Optimize Your Sleep Positions for Your WellbeingWhat Can a Sleep Study Tell You?
Feeling ill-rested? Well, let’s hit the snooze button and properly catch you up on one of our favorite topics: sleep. From uncovering the benefits of sleep on longevity and mental health to figuring out how to calculate our accumulated sleep debt, this collection of articles serves you all the tools you need to prioritize some quality zzzs.
In This Spotlight:
If you’re yawning as you read this article, we see you.Insomniais a common problem throughout the world. According to estimates, it is believed to affect approximately 33% of the world’s population.Even people without chronic insomnia often struggle withsleep problems.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a third of adults in the United States report that they get less than the recommended amount of sleep each night.Because of this, it is important to understand how sleep affects mental health and well-being.
‘I Want to Sleep But My Body Won’t Let Me’: Why Does This Happen?
It’s no secret that sleep plays an important role in good physical health. Lack of sleep is linked to a number of unfavorable health consequences including heart disease and type 2 diabetes.But how does sleep affect mental health?
Some psychiatric conditions can cause sleep problems, and sleep disturbances can also exacerbate the symptoms of many mental conditions includingdepression,anxiety, andbipolar disorder.
Research suggests that the relationship between sleep and mental health is complex. While lack of sleep has long been known to be a consequence of many psychiatric conditions, more recent views suggest that lack of sleep can also play a causal role in both the development and maintenance of different mental health problems.
In other words,sleep problems can lead to changes in mental health, but mental health conditions can also worsen problems with sleep. Lack of sleep may trigger the onset of certain psychological conditions, although researchers are not completely certain of the underlying reasons for this.
Because of this circular relationship between your sleep patterns and your mental state, it is important to talk to a doctor if you are having problems falling or staying asleep.
Our brains need sleep to operate at full capacity. Lack of sleep can lead tobrain fog, which often feels like confusion ortrouble concentrating. You may find it’s more difficult to recall certain memories or find the right words for what you want to say when you didn’t get enough sleep the night before.You will probably find it difficult to be productive—the idea of certain tasks can feel completely overwhelming when your brain hasn’t had a full night’s rest.
Have you ever had to make a difficult decision and someone tells you to “sleep on it”? Turns out, there’s science behind this advice. Sleep is crucial tobrain function, including concentration,memory, andemotional regulation.
Not getting enough sleep may causemood changes, including increasedirritability. Participants in one study also experienced feelings of anxiety and depression as a result of sleep deprivation.
Research finds that lack of sleep can lead to increased levels ofangerand aggression. This is because when sleep-deprived, the brain cannot function normally, which means it can’t suppress the reactivity of theamygdala(the emotional center of the brain).
We’re more likely to feel irritable and less likely to feel in control of our emotions when we don’t get enough sleep.
Along with mood changes may come unusual behaviors. Lack of sleep can lead to increased impulsivity, hyperactivity, and emotional outbursts. We might notice that we struggle to interact with other people when we’re sleep-deprived.
You may act erratically and feel like you have a short fuse—maybe you yell at someone for making a mistake at work, or leave the room completely if someone says something that annoys you.
Thinking about your poor sleep quality can even be a source of stress. You know that you need to get a good night’s sleep, but then find yourself worrying that you won’t be able to fall or stay asleep (which can also keep you up at night).
Severe sleep deprivation is linked with the development of temporary psychotic symptoms. One study found that some participants who went 24 hours without sleep experiencedhallucinationsand other perceptual changes; others who went 60 hours without sleep experienced both hallucinations anddelusions.
What Is a Circadian Rhythm Sleep Disorder?
Impact of Sleep on Mental Health Conditions
Sleep can greatly impact symptoms of mental health conditions. Though more research is needed on the subject, researchers also suspect that sleep can contribute to the development of mental health conditions.
Depression
Insomnia and other sleep problems can be a symptom of depression, but more recently, research has implicated lack of sleep in actually causing depression.
One analysis of 21 different studies found that people who experience insomnia have a two-fold risk of developing depression compared to those who do not have problems sleeping.The question, then, is whether helping people improve their sleep might actually lessen their chances of developing depression.
Researchers suggest that addressing insomnia early on may be an effective preventative measure to help reduce therisk of depression, although further investigations into this possibility are needed.
Anxiety
As with many other psychological conditions, the relationship betweensleep and anxietyappears to go in both directions. People with anxiety tend to experience more sleep disturbances, but experiencing sleep deprivation can also contribute to feelings of anxiety. This can become a cycle that perpetuates both sleep and anxiety issues.
Additionally, sleep problems appear to be a risk factor for developing anxiety disorders. One study found that problems with sleep were a predictor forgeneralized anxiety disorderinchildrenand teens between the ages of nine and 16.
Those who struggle with sleep problems may be more likely to develop an anxiety condition, particularly if their sleep problems are prolonged and left untreated.
Coping with feelings of anxiety can be that much more difficult when you are tired from chronic sleep disturbances. Because of this, poor sleep can make the symptoms of anxiety disorders much worse.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Sleep deprivation is not only a common symptom ofpost-traumatic stress disorder(PTSD) affecting between 80% to 90% of people with the condition, but it is also believed to play a role in both the development and maintenance of this disorder.
Bipolar Disorder
Sleep disturbances are very common among people withbipolar disorder. Such problems can include insomnia, irregular sleep-wake cycles, and nightmares.
Sleep changes can be a symptom of the condition, but sleep problems can also play a role in the course of the condition, treatment outcomes, and the individual’s overallquality of life.
Reduced sleep can also cause symptoms ofmaniaorhypomania.If you have bipolar disorder, be sure to talk to a doctor about any sleep difficulties that you may be having.
How Sleep and Bipolar Disorder Interact
ADHD
Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder(ADHD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder, affecting as many as 5.3% of children between the ages of six and 17 years old.
ADHD is associated with sleep problems, and research also suggests that sleep disturbances may be a predictor or even a contributor to symptoms of the condition. Studies have found that between 25% and 55% of children who have ADHD also experience sleep disturbances.
Children with ADHD may experience a number of sleep-related problems including difficulty falling or staying asleep, difficulty waking, sleep breathing issues, night waking, and daytime sleepiness.
Eating Disorders
Research suggests that most people witheating disorders(EDs) experience disrupted sleep; however, more information is needed to understand the relationship between EDs and sleep.While insomnia may increase the risk of developing an ED, having an eating disorder may also cause disrupted sleep.
One study found that participants withanorexiabinge-eating/purging type had significantly worse sleep quality than did participants with anorexia restricting type, suggesting that treatment for eating disorders should focus on improving sleep—especially for those whopurge.
Getting better sleep isn’t a cure or a quick fix for mental health disorders, but it can be an important part of a comprehensive treatment plan. The bidirectional relationship between sleep and mental health offers some promise—researchers hope that finding ways to improve sleep may have a beneficial impact on a number of conditions.
Interventions designed to help people sleep could be useful during psychological treatment.
In a study looking at more than 3,700 participants, researchers investigated the impact of poor sleep on symptoms of depression, anxiety, andparanoia.Some of the participants were treated withcognitive-behavioral therapy(CBT) for their insomnia, while others did not receive any treatment.
The researchers found that those who had received CBT showed significant reductions in depression, anxiety, paranoia, and nightmares. They also reported improved overall well-being, including their ability to function at home and work. Another study found that internet-based cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) was helpful for relieving symptoms of insomnia.
Additional research found that sleep interventions are effective at reducing symptoms of PTSD,lessening the severity of ADHD symptoms,and improving the overall quality of life for people with both conditions.
If you have been struggling with a sleep problem or are experiencing excessive daytime sleepiness, talk to a doctor about your treatment options. A doctor will likely perform a physical exam to rule out other conditions that can cause poor sleep (such as a thyroid disorder).
A doctor may also recommend:
Press Play for Advice From The Verywell Mind PodcastThis episode ofThe Verywell Mind Podcastshares tips for prioritizing your mental health, featuring Peloton instructor Kendall Toole. Click below to listen now.
Press Play for Advice From The Verywell Mind Podcast
This episode ofThe Verywell Mind Podcastshares tips for prioritizing your mental health, featuring Peloton instructor Kendall Toole. Click below to listen now.
In addition to seeking help from medical professionals, there are also steps that you can take on your own to improve your sleep and well-being.Having good sleep hygiene, or practices that support sleep, is critical to staying rested and avoiding daytime sleepiness.
Some things you can do include:
Depression, anxiety, and other psychiatric disorders can interfere with sleep—but addressing your sleep problems may also have a positive impact on your psychological symptoms.
If lifestyle changes do not relieve sleep problems, a doctor may recommend psychotherapy and medications.
What Is Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-i)?
Bottom Line
The negative effects of poor sleep are well-documented, including the profound impact on mental health and emotional well-being. Poor sleep may often be a symptom or consequence of an existing psychological condition, but sleep problems are also thought to cause or contribute to the onset of different mental disorders including depression and anxiety.
For this reason, addressingsleep problemsearly on is important to help protect your overall health and wellness. Making lifestyle changes that promote good sleep can help, but talk to a doctor if your sleep problems persist. An underlying sleep disorder or a medical condition might be playing a role in your sleep issues.
The Role of Sleep in Teen Mental Health
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Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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