Anxiety During Sleep
A significant portion of the global population experiences anxiety during sleep, often stemming from underlying issues that must be addressed to alleviate these anxious feelings. If left unaddressed, such anxiety can adversely affect an individual’s daily activities, either partially or completely. Initially, sleep anxiety manifests as difficulty falling asleep, which can progress to frequent awakenings throughout the night, leaving the individual unable to return to sleep.
Psychological Causes
Recent studies on sleep-related anxiety indicate that approximately 40% of individuals suffering from this condition attribute it to psychological disturbances. The types of psychological disorders leading to sleep anxiety vary according to each person’s mental state, influenced by factors such as depression, familial stress, or occupational pressures. It is important to clarify that the term “psychological disturbances” does not refer to mental illness itself; rather, it relates to the emotional stresses individuals endure due to significant negative changes in their lifestyle, which they struggle to adapt to. Many individuals experiencing sleep anxiety may be unaware of their psychological issues or may deny them out of fear of being labeled as mentally unwell.
Physiological Causes
There are numerous physiological factors that can contribute to anxiety during sleep, which can often be challenging for healthcare professionals to diagnose without conducting a sleep study. These factors include:
- Respiratory issues: Conditions such as snoring and sleep apnea, including central sleep apnea typically observed in patients with heart failure, as well as various allergic reactions affecting the upper and lower respiratory tracts.
- Acid reflux: This condition involves stomach acid regurgitating into the esophagus and potentially reaching the throat, causing severe discomfort that hinders sleep.
- Restless sleep disorder: Individuals with this disorder experience bursts of wakefulness during their sleep, making it difficult for them to fall asleep or enter deep sleep stages.
- Other underlying conditions: Chronic pain, Parkinson’s disease, diabetes, and other health issues can also be contributory factors.
Behavioral and Environmental Causes
Behavioral and environmental factors include irregular sleep schedules, leading to difficulties in falling asleep. Lifestyle habits such as inactivity and lethargy can also hinder the ability to attain sleep, with studies suggesting that athletes tend to fall asleep faster than non-athletes. Additionally, the consumption of stimulants, alcohol, and tobacco close to bedtime can exacerbate anxiety. Acquired insomnia may result from specific social or environmental factors, and even after these factors are resolved, the individual may continue to suffer from this form of insomnia.