What is primary: sleeping problems or anxiety?

A good sleep is important for our mental well-being. Only one night without sleep makes a person irritable, worried or sad the next day. It is therefore not surprising that sleep problems, such as difficulty falling asleep, regular awakenings and insomnia, are associated with anxiety and depression.

Anxiety and depression, which can range from a constant anxiety and sadness to a diagnosed mental illness, are common problems. That is why it is very important to understand many interacting factors that can cause this condition, especially for the development of effective methods for its prevention and treatment. Awareness of sleep problems can be a key factor here.

What problem occurs first?

Most evidence suggests that the relationship between sleep problems, anxiety and depression is very strong and takes place in both directions.

This means that problems with sleep can lead to anxiety and depression, and vice versa. For example, agitation and stress can lead to problems with falling asleep. However, if a person is difficult to fall asleep and can not sleep at night, this can lead to anxiety.

Sleep disorders, especially insomnia, in some people lead to anxiety and often precede depression, but they are also common symptoms of both diseases.

In such a situation it is very difficult to understand what and under what circumstances is the primary one. It can depend on when a person has problems. New data show that problems with sleep in adolescence can develop into depression, and not vice versa. However, this model is not so relevant for adults.

Of great importance is also what kind of problems with sleep are observed in humans. For example, excessive daytime sleepiness indicates anxiety, but not depression. Complicating the situation is also the fact that depression and anxiety often occur together.

Although the exact mechanisms that regulate the relationship between sleep, anxiety and depression remain unclear, they overlap with some of the basic processes associated with sleep and emotions.

Some aspects of sleep are still relatively unexplored, for example, the variability of human sleep patterns and their impact on its functioning and health. Additional research will help to deepen our understanding of these mechanisms.

Sleep Intervention

The good news is that scientists have developed effective measures to combat many sleep problems, such as cognitive-behavioral insomnia (CBT-I) therapy. Thus, it is likely that preventing sleep problems in people who are more at risk than others (teenagers, young mothers and people who are anxious) will help not only improve sleep, but also reduce the risk of anxiety And depression.

Various online activities can become available and effective programs. A recent study showed that a six-week interactive CBT-I program significantly reduces the symptoms of insomnia and depression. It includes getting knowledge about sleep, improving thoughts and behavior, and keeping diaries of sleep.

What modern research is aimed at

Now scientists are conducting research aimed at improving and even preventing physical and mental health problems, aiming at problems with sleep.

A general improvement in sleep quality can be beneficial to a person with anxiety or depression. Targeting one or more functions common to two or more mental disorders is a "transdiagnostic" approach. Intervention aimed at trans-diag- nostic risk factors for anxiety and depression has already had some success.

Good foundation

For many people, getting rid of sleep problems with the treatment of anxiety and depression symptoms is more preferable, since it can encourage a person to seek additional help. Initial orientation to sleep problems can develop a good basis for further treatment.

For example, people with depressive disorder are less likely to respond to treatment and are more prone to relapse if they experience sleep problems such as insomnia. With daytime symptoms of anxiety and depression, you can also try to cope with special skills, such as relaxation and anxiety. And that's not to mention the physical benefits that you get from a good night's sleep!

Ask for help

If you are worried about your sleep or mental health, you should consult a professional. Nowadays, there are a number of effective methods for treating sleep problems, depression and anxiety, so that when you get rid of one problem, the symptoms of the rest are likely to recede.

As research in this area continues, it is only a matter of time before we can use sleep improvement measures as the main tool for improving mental health.