Why Do We Get Insomnia
Over a third of UK adults struggle to sleep at least every week, and around one in five adults struggle to fall asleep every night. However, as annoying as struggling to fall asleep may be, it pales compared to the effects of insomnia.
Insomnia is the inability to sleep - you lie awake at night, unable to sleep, and before you know it, it's morning! If this happens to you regularly, you probably fit the medical diagnosis of insomnia.
Insomnia can be transient, short-term, or chronic. Transient insomnia lasts a few weeks, short-term insomnia lasts a few months, and chronic insomnia lasts more than six months.
The causes of insomnia are patient-dependent, but thanks to scientific research, we know the common triggers behind insomnia.
These include:
- Stress
- An irregular sleep schedule
- Poor sleeping habits
- Physical illnesses and pain
- Medications
- Neurological problems
- Mental health disorders like anxiety and depression
Rest assured that insomnia is a common disorder, and it is treatable. Here's more info on the common causes and the science behind them:
Why Do We Get Insomnia
Stress
Stress impairs sleep by producing and releasing the stress hormone cortisol in the HPA axis, which helps coordinate sleep cycles. When the HPA axis is disrupted, the body's sleep-wake cycle is knocked out of kilter, causing insomnia.
Another reason the release of cortisol causes insomnia is that it affects waking us up and impairs the release of the sleep hormone melatonin.
This study found that patients with insomnia without depression have high cortisol levels, making stress a key driver behind insomnia.
De-stressing before bed could be the trick to beating insomnia. Try a meditation or mindfulness app to give it a go.
Anxiety
Anxiety involves persistent, excessive worries, which can keep you awake at night. Those with chronic and extreme anxiety are at increased risk of insomnia as excessive worries and fears interrupt the body's sleep-wake cycle.
Anxiety also has the nasty habit of fuelling insomnia and depression, creating a mental health spiral if left unchecked and managed.
You should speak with your GP if you have a persistent sense of worry, dread, apprehension, and fear. There are various therapies for anxiety, and talking to someone will help. You can also get medication for some anxiety disorders.
Depression
Not only are sleep disorders core symptoms of depression, but depression is heightened with poor sleep. This meta-analysis found that insomnia is significantly associated with an increased risk of depression.
The connection between depression and insomnia is mostly hormone-based. Corticotropin-releasing hormone is overactive in depressed people - creating a stimulus that keeps the brain active and awake.
Some depression medications can also cause insomnia, so it's worth exploring the possibility with your GP if you are on these.
Medications
Despite clinical trials and intense review stages before release, all medications have potential side effects. If insomnia/sleep disturbance is a listed side effect, it's worth talking to your GP about it as a possible trigger.
Physical and mental illnesses
Schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, restless legs syndrome, menopause, diabetes, and an overactive thyroid can cause insomnia. If you have one of these, it's worth exploring.
Injuries and pain
Pain makes it difficult to fall asleep, especially when your primary sleeping position is highly uncomfortable. Try a new mattress to support your body or stick a pillow under your hips, legs, or tummy to relieve stress.
Irregular sleep schedule
An irregular sleep schedule can cause insomnia by disrupting your body clock. This disruption prevents your body from releasing the sleep hormone melatonin, slamming the brakes on your body's natural shutdown process.
There's also a condition called 'sleep-wake syndrome,' which manifests as irregular periods of sleep and wakefulness. It is often caused by an irregular sleep schedule and can cause insomnia for the reasons outlined above.
Read our guide on fixing your sleep schedule for tips on resetting your body clock – it could be just what you need to fall asleep (finally!).