Chronic Insomnia As A Risk Factor For Developing Both Anxiety Disorder And Depression
Everyone has an occasional sleepless night. For most people, insomnia lasts only a few days and goes away without medication. However, factors such as stress can cause a higher level of insomnia that may last for several weeks. This kind of insomnia may not go away on its own, and can lead to both short and long term health problems if left untreated. According to a study published in the July 1st issue of the journal SLEEP, chronic insomnia can increase one's chances for developing anxiety disorders and depression.
The study, conducted by Dag Neckelmann, MD, PhD, of Haukeland University Hospital in Bergen, Norway, was based on data collected from 25,130 adults from 2 general health surveys. Dr. Neckelmann found significant relations between the longitudinal course of chronic insomnia and the development of anxiety disorders and depression. Compared to the group of participants without chronic insomnia in both surveys, the group with chronic insomnia had increased associations to having developed anxiety disorders and depression. According to Dag Neckelmann, chronic insomnia is a state marker of both anxiety disorder and depression. From a clinical point of view, these results imply that individuals reporting chronic insomnia, in addition to receiving adequate cure for their sleep disturbance, should be carefully examined for the presence of anxiety disorder as well as depression.
Insomnia is a kind of sleep disorders in which a person has difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking up too early. These sleep disorders may also be defined by an overall poor quality of sleep. Insomnia is the most commonly reported sleep disorder. About 30 per cent of adults have symptoms of insomnia. Less than 10 per cent of adults are likely to have chronic insomnia. Insomnia is more common among elderly people and women.
