I know I find it hard to sleep when I'm stressed out, anxious, or even depressed. This article, reprinted from Harvard Medical School's report called Improving sleep: A guide to a good night's rest, may help you determine if a chronic sleep problem may be linked to a mental health problem such as anxiety or depression:
Sleep disturbances, particularly insomnia, are often related to psychological difficulties that respond well to treatment once they've been identified. Physicians may screen problem sleepers for symptoms of depression, anxiety, childhood physical or sexual abuse, or other psychological problems or traumatic experiences. If one of these conditions is diagnosed, your primary care physician may refer you to a psychologist or psychiatrist for treatment. Here are some questionnaires doctors may use to help discover whether a mental health issue is playing a role in your sleep problems:
| Discovering the cause of sleeplessness | ||
Are you depressed? | Yes | No |
1. I feel downhearted, blue, and sad. |
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2. I don't enjoy the things I used to. |
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3. I have felt so low I've thought of suicide. |
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4. I feel that I'm not useful or needed. |
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5. I notice that I'm losing/gaining weight. |
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6. I have trouble sleeping through the night. |
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7. I am restless and can't keep still. |
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8. My mind isn't as clear as it used to be. |
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9. I get tired for no reason. |
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10. I feel hopeless about the future. |
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You may be suffering from depression if: you answered yes to at least five of these questions, you answered yes to either question 1 or question 2, and these symptoms have persisted for at least two weeks. You should seek professional help immediately if you answered yes to question 3. | ||
Are you anxious? | Yes | No |
1. Do you feel upset or tense, maybe without even knowing why? |
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2. Does your heart often race uncontrollably? |
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3. Are your hands often sweaty, clammy, or extremely cold? |
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4. Do you often have a lump in your throat? |
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5. Do you have difficulty slowing down or relaxing? |
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6. Do you often feel insecure or anxious? |
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7. Do you often feel ill at ease? |
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8. Do you often feel tired without any reason? |
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9. Do you often worry about things you've said that might have hurt somebody's feelings? |
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10. Do you tend to worry, even over things that you realize don't matter? |
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11. Are you presently worrying over a possible misfortune? |
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12. Do you often feel nervous, jittery, or high-strung? |
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13. Are you more apprehensive about the future than other people are? |
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If you answered yes to five or more of these questions, you are probably more anxious or tense than other people, and you may need to seek professional help. | ||
Reprinted with permission from No More Sleepless Nights by Peter Hauri, Ph.D., and Shirley Linde, Ph.D. | ||
Have you noticed a link between anxiety or depression and sleep problems? If so, has getting treatment for one helped the other?
Julie K. Silver, M.D., is an assistant professor in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Harvard Medical School. She is also the Chief Editor of Books for Harvard Health Publications.
Depression
Nearly 1 in 10 adults will suffer from some form of depression in a given year, affecting not only them, but also their friends and family. Thankfully, years of research and recent breakthroughs have made this serious illness easier to treat. With Understanding Depression, a special health report from Harvard Medical School, you can stay up-to-date on the latest information on depression symptoms and treatments to improve your life—or the life of someone close to you.
Are you Living With Insomnia? Connect with others with similar health concerns and issues. Click here to join the group.
This content is not intended to substitute for personalized medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment from your healthcare provider. Read our full disclaimer.
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Comments: 11
I have had them almost all my life and take Zanex which helps for my panic attacks and anxiety which without keep me awake almost 24/7
Great article.
I was having trouble sleeping. My head would not shut up.
I now take Depakote & or trazadone for sleepless nights.
Used to was. But I got divorce.
BTW, I only work from home now. It's also, been so hot and muggy here lately, I don't really want to go out much either.