Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) : According to the National Institute of Mental Health, OCD is a condition affecting 2.2 million Americans that causes people to have reoccurring, uncontrollable, and disturbing thoughts, urges, or mental images (obsessions) that can create serious anxiety for the sufferer. Having sleep problems such as insomnia, restlessness, or feeling unsatisfied from sleep.Unable to control or distract yourself from worrying.Brain fog, or having difficulty concentrating and easily losing your train of thought.Feelings of restlessness or being unable to calm down.According to the ADAA, about 6.8 million Americans suffer from GAD every year. GAD can create an extreme sense of fear or worry that stems from otherwise normal day-to-day routines or activities, and can significantly impact a person’s work, social, school, or general life. Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) : GAD is a form of anxiety that people may experience for extended periods of time, normally more than six months, and is a response to stress related to work, personal health, social interactions, or everyday routines. Below are some of the most common types, as well as some of their symptoms and effects. Additionally, anxiety can be a side effect of other, more serious psychiatric conditions, which can add to the difficulty of treating those with comorbid anxiety and insomnia.Īnxiety disorders come in many forms. In these cases, known as bidirectional comorbidity, the two conditions can exacerbate each other and it can be difficult to treat both independently. There are also people that suffer from both anxiety and insomnia, with each symptom being independent of the other. It can often be a side effect of a larger problem (known as secondary insomnia), but it can also manifest independently for many people, without a predominant cause or identifying the trigger (known as primary insomnia). Insomnia is a common sleep disorder affecting 3 million Americans that is characterized by the inability to fall asleep or stay asleep for extended periods of time. While experiencing anxiety attacks may cause many people to feel exhausted or fatigued, the act of falling asleep may actually become harder due to the anxiety and the body’s sense of worry or fear. Additionally, anxiety can cause serious sleep issues, such as insomnia. In these cases, the brain may flood the body with adrenaline, causing a person to experience heart palpitations, shortness of breath, or causing them to lose their concentration at work or school.

Overall, about 40 million Americans suffer from anxiety disorders, and it is the most common mental illness in the U.S.Īnxiety disorders can be caused by very specific triggers (known as “phobias”) or can simply be excessive anxiety for extended periods of time that get in the way of everyday life, regardless of a specific trigger or actually being in danger. Occasional anxiety is not a cause for concern, but many Americans experience a much more acute, recurring, and overpowering sense of anxiety, which can be the development of an anxiety disorder. Although the dangers have changed from animal predators to a fear of being late for meetings, the physiological components of our brains haven’t changed much: our brains still see the cause of our anxiety as a “danger” and thus kicks into action trying to find a possible solution or escape route. This guide will explore the definitions and symptoms of both conditions, how they can affect each other, and what you can do to treat, manage, and potentially stop your anxiety or insomnia from disrupting your sleep.Įxperiencing occasional bouts of anxiety can be fairly common for most people, as anxiety is just an echo of our past survival mechanism of “fight, flight, or freeze” when faced with danger. If you struggle with anxiety or insomnia, or a mix of both, you’re not alone. Additionally, both conditions can play off each other, making the other worse. Both conditions can cause you to lay awake for hours, wondering if you will ever get even a wink of sleep before your day starts again. Anxiety and insomnia are two very common problems that may hamper your ability to fall asleep.

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