Insomnia is linked to anxiety disorders and can be caused by many factors. Symptoms of insomnia include difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep, as well as feeling tired during the day. Research has found a strong relationship between insomnia, anxiety, and depression, though the direction of the relationship is unclear. The causes of insomnia are complex with many potential contributing factors, making definitive conclusions difficult to draw.

1. The link between insomnia and
anxiety disorders-

2. Insomnia definition-
• Habitual sleeplessness; inability to sleep.

3. Symptoms of insomnia-
• High levels of anxiety as bedtime approaches.
• Daytime drowsiness, fatigue, irritability,
difficulty concentrating, and an impaired
ability to perform normal activities.
• Inability to sleep, despite being tired.
• Not feeling refreshed/ satisfied after sleep.

4. Causes, Conditions, or Situations
Leading to Insomnia:
• 50% of cases have no identifiable cause.
• Medication including; decongestants, bronchodilators, and beta-blockers.
• Excessive computer work.
• Hormonal changes during menstrual cycle with insomnia occurring during
menstruation and sleep improving mid-cycle around ovulation.
• Lifestyle choices such as consuming coffee, alcohol, cola drinks, recreational
drugs, smoking, heavy meals, and drinking large quantities of fluids.
• Underlying medical conditions such as chronic sleep-induced respiratory problems,
nocturnal myoclonus which causes painful cramping of the legs, gastroesophageal
reflux causing heartburn, chronic pain syndromes, heart disease, arthritis and ADD
etc.
• Shift work, travel across time zones, and loss of vision as circadian rhythms are
partially regulated by the release of melatonin from the brain in response to
sunlight.
• Stress from family, school, work, events
• Type of bedding may affect sleep and may improve with changing to a firmer or
softer mattress, lighter or heavier blankets, a device to support bedding at the foot
of the bed, different pillow, etc.
• Underlying psychological, psychiatric, and neurological conditions such as anxiety,
depression, bipolar disorder, dementia, Parkinson’s disease, restless leg
syndrome, post-traumatic stress disorder, etc.

5. Jiang et al (2003)-
• The study uses media students, with findings that
life events experienced by insomniacs and the
control group were similar, although the
insomniacs had a poorer tolerance of stressors.
• This link between insomnia and clinical
depression means early morning wakening is a
typical symptom. Also, in depressed patients
sleep patterns nearly always change. Typically, an
increase in REM sleep entered more quickly than
normal, with a higher frequency of rapid eye
movements.

6. Jansson-Frӧjmark and Lindbolm
(2008)-
• 3000 participants were involved in a survey on
anxiety, depression and insomnia. There was a
strong relationship between anxiety,
depression, and insomnia. Asking about
insomnia on the first survey meant
psychologists predicted new cases of
depression and anxiety in the follow up
survey.

7. The use of correlational research/
causation issues-
• But, this is correlational research and it’s not
clear if depression causes or is a result of
insomnia as both are possible. Both anxiety
and depression can cause insomnia.
• This is called a bi-directional relationship. As
insomnia can lead to anxiety and depression,
but these disorders can lead to insomnia.

8. The DSM (Diathesis Stress Model)-
• The DSM suggests that vulnerability is not enough for a
disorder to develop, as environmental stressors are
needed to trigger the disorder.
• As chronic insomnia is highly complex and unlikely to
be explained by one single factor. The large number of
factors make it very difficult to conduct meaningful
research because studies find only small effects.
• There are so many different causes for insomnia such
as; stress, depression, poor hygiene, age and gender.
Meaning, it is difficult to draw firm conclusions from
the research.

9. How much of a problem is it?

10. Treatment-