Chronic Insomnia May Increase Odds of Depression and Anxiety
by Heather Setrakian | July 16th, 2007A new study published in the July issue of the journal SLEEP, chronic insomnia can increase one’s chances for developing anxiety disorders and depression. This is more than just the occasional up-all-night occurrence, but a condition that lasts several weeks or more and does not go away on its own.
The study was conducted by Dr. Dag Neckelmann and colleagues of Haukeland University in Norway, who collected data from over 25,000 individuals in a longitudinal study. Dr. Neckelmann found significant differences between the longitudinal course of chronic insomnia and the development of anxiety disorders and depression. Those without the chronic insomnia were less inclined to develop the conditions.
Applying this kind of research may help in early detection of anxiety disorders or depression. Primary care physicians are urged to note chronic insomnia as a potential precursor to these mental health problems. Additionally, if patients are being treated for sleep disturbances it may be beneficial to also check for these conditions.
Does this mean that you need to start taking a sleep aid before going to bed? Not necessarily. In a 2006 issue of Journal of American Medical Association (JAMA), Dr. Borge Sivertsen of the University of Bergen, Norway and colleagues conducted a randomized controlled trial between between cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and the non-benzodiazepine sleep medication zopiclone. The trial included 46 adults with chronic primary insomnia. The participants received either the CBT intervention (information on sleep hygiene, sleep restriction, stimulus control, cognitive therapy, and progressive relaxation technique; sleep medication (zopiclone) each night or a placebo. All treatment duration was 6 weeks, and were followed up at 6 months. Several methods were used to determine total wake time, total sleep time, sleep efficiency, and slow-wave sleep. Over the course of the six weeks, the total time spent asleep during the night for the CBT group improved significantly more than both the placebo group at 6 weeks and the medication group at both 6 weeks and 6 months. The medication group did not differ significantly from the placebo group.
Further Reading:
American Academy of Sleep Medicine
Email This Post
| 
July 24th, 2007 at 11:25 am
I have been out of work for approximately 6 months, trying to go to school and receive my college degree, and constantly worrying about where my next paycheck is coming from. I divorced three years ago after being married for 33 years. It was not an equitable divorce, naturally I was left with not much to show for 33 years, accept a little furniture and transportation. Anyway, all this has left me with anxiety, and defintely a chronic insomnia. I have terrible depression, some times don’t even want to get out of bed, but force myself, talk to myself, anything to get my self up and going through the day. I don’t have friends because I have no job and anyone that I come in contact with works. I guess I sound like I want sympathy, no, not really. Just a little direction. I’m 57 and a very lonely person. I have a son but he has his family and doesn’t need me to bother him with my problems. This isn’t quite a comment, but I guess I needed to tell someone, something. Thank you.
July 26th, 2007 at 6:45 am
Yeah I’m a graveyard cook and sometimes hardly get any sleep. It doesn’t constitute as chronic insomnia but still cause I don’t get a lot of sleep I don’t feel as up beat as I want to. This leaves for the rest of the day that I have awake to deal lots of drama to me. Plus since all of my friends are asleep when I am awake I don’t have a lot of people to talk to.
July 27th, 2007 at 1:34 am
Yes this is very true…the brain and body must get adaquit sleep or depression and anxiety can set in. It is well known as we age insomnia becomes a big problem for many. I have had to take medicine to sleep and it has reduced my blues and anxiety tremnously
August 26th, 2007 at 10:55 pm
I was out of work for 6 months, with a young step-son, but I was older, and too well educated. I couldn’t find a job for the life of me. Finally, I went for civil service (federal, state, city) jobs where they couldn’t deny me a job due to my age. I got a job (thank God), and have been very grateful ever since. Believe me I was scared out of my wits as I had alot of trouble paying the rent, etc. I also got support from friends, tried to walk everyday, meditated as much as possible, wrote my feelings in a journal everyday, watched who I kept around me, and tried very hard to keep negative thoughts out of my head as much as possible. Good luck to you, and God’s speed.