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Disorders related to
insomnia include depression, anxiety and chronic pain. Sleep disorders such as
night terrors, sleep apnea and restless legs syndrome are also related
disorders. When considering insomnia, remember that it rarely appears by
itself: more often insomnia is caused by a related disorder.
Depression
Depression and anxiety are the two mental disorders most frequently related
to insomnia. Up to seventy percent of people with depression report some degree
of insomnia. Anxiety disorders can also disrupt sleep, as the mind is focused
on the anxiety and is often "over active," thinking of
anxiety-causing scenarios when the person is trying to sleep.
Antidepressants and anti-anxiety medication can help treat insomnia by treating
underlying depression or anxiety disorders. The medication often has sedating
side effects, so it can also relieve insomnia symptoms.
Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is one of the sleep disorders often related to insomnia. People
with sleep apnea stop breathing for up to a minute at a time when they sleep.
Multiple sleep apnea events may occur during a single night.
Every time a sleep apnea event occurs, the brain is aroused from sleep to
restart breathing. People may or may not wake up during a sleep apnea event,
but their sleep is constantly disrupted throughout the night. Up to ten percent
of people in the U.S may live with the related disorders of sleep apnea and
insomnia.
Restless Legs Syndrome
Restless legs syndrome is another of the common disorders related to
insomnia, with up to ten percent of Americans experiencing some degree of the
condition.
People with restless legs syndrome have an irresistible urge to move their legs
when they lie down. Often a sensation of "creeping,"
"itching" or "gnawing" is described. The sensation is
relieved by moving the legs. Severe restless legs syndrome is a sleep disorder
that disrupts sleep patterns and causes insomnia.
Night Terrors
Night terrors are disorders related to insomnia. Although the name suggests
nightmares, night terrors are much more than bad dreams. People with night
terrors wake up suddenly, in a panic, often accompanied by sweating and
confusion. Sometimes night terrors are accompanied by a feeling that people or
animals are in the room.
People suffering from night terrors usually have no memory of the event. As
night terrors disrupt the sleep cycle they are usually accompanied by insomnia.
Other Sleep Disorders Related to Insomnia
Sleep disorders are often insomnia related disorders. In addition to night
terrors, sleep apnea and night terrors, sleep disorders related to insomnia
include parasomnias such as sleepwalking or sleep talking, where the brain is
partially aroused from sleep.
Narcolepsy disrupts normal sleep cycles and is commonly seen in combination
with insomnia. Narcolepsy is a disorder characterized by sudden, brief attacks
of deep sleep. The sufferer can suddenly appear to fall asleep in the middle of
an activity or conversation. It's sometimes accompanied by paralysis and
hallucinations.
Sleep paralysis is another relatively common sleep disorder related to
insomnia. Sleep paralysis occurs when people are partially aroused from sleep,
but are temporarily paralyzed. Many people with sleep paralysis report feeling
as if something malignant and heavy sits on their chest during a paralysis
episode. Fear and anxiety associated with this feeling can further disrupt
sleep and contribute to insomnia.
Chronic Pain
Physical conditions that cause pain and discomfort are also related
insomnia disorders. Any pain-causing health problem has the potential to
interfere with sleeping patterns and leave people tired and worn down in the
daytime. Physical disorders related to insomnia must be ruled out during an
insomnia diagnosis.
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