The effects of insomnia and chronic insomnia

Insomnia – a condition in which people are unable to sleep satisfactorily – is a common sleep disorder. The effects of insomnia and chronic insomnia are not only “associated with decreased quality of life,” but also experienced by “millions of people in the United States,” according to a 2009 study published in the medical journal Seminars in Neurology.¹

Because sleep apnea can best be understood with a more complete knowledge of sleep health in general, we’re taking some time to explore related sleep disorders in more detail.

We’ll look at the effects of insomnia and then move on to identify the most common causes and symptoms. (For related reading, check out our earlier article on “sleep apnea and insomnia”).

Insomnia: The basics

Insomnia is often referred to as the most common sleep disorder in the United States.^{2, 3} According to a poll by the National Sleep Foundation (NSF), 48 percent of Americans experience occasional insomnia, with 22 percent reporting that they experience chronic insomnia, or sleeplessness that occurs “every or almost every night.”⁴

According to that same poll:

• People 65 and older are 1.5 times more likely to experience insomnia than those younger than 65.
• Women are 1.3 times more likely than men to report insomnia.
• “Divorced, widowed and separated people” tend to have higher rates of insomnia.

A 2003 study in the medical journal Depression and Anxiety called insomnia “the most prevalent sleep disorder” and claimed that it affects 10 to 15 percent of the general population – a lower number than the NSF poll, but large enough to merit attention.²

Effects of insomnia

That same study also warned that the effects of insomnia can have “a significant negative impact on an individual’s work, physical, and social performance as well as overall quality of life.”

The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) elaborates on the health effects of insomnia: “Insomnia can cause daytime sleepiness and a lack of energy. It also can make you feel anxious, depressed, or irritable. You may have trouble focusing on tasks, paying attention, learning, and remembering. These problems can prevent you from doing your best at work or school.”⁵

“Insomnia also can cause other serious problems,” the NHLBI adds. “For example, you may feel drowsy while driving, which could lead to an accident.”

The Depression and Anxiety study authors also warn of the economic effects of insomnia, writing that the costs “related to lost productivity, work-related accidents, absenteeism, and health-care costs are enormous.”

Chronic insomnia

According to the NHLBI, chronic insomnia is sleeplessness that lasts for a month or longer. (Insomnia lasting for lesser periods of time is called “acute insomnia.”) Chronic insomnia also refers to insomnia that’s consistent, rather than “on-and-off” or occasional insomnia: “Insomnia is considered to be chronic if it occurs on most nights and lasts a month or more.”⁶

Chronic insomnia “often results from a combination of factors, including underlying physical or mental disorders,” the NHLBI adds. “One of the most common causes of chronic insomnia is depression. However, chronic insomnia may also be due to behavioral factors, including the misuse of caffeine, alcohol, or other substances; disrupted sleep/wake cycles as may occur with shift work or other nighttime activity schedules; and chronic stress.”

Which leads us to our next question: What causes insomnia and chronic insomnia? Join us next week at the Wake Up to Sleep blog as we move on from the effects of insomnia to look at causes, symptoms and potential treatment options.

This blog post contains general information about medical conditions and potential treatments. It is not medical advice. If you have any medical questions, please consult your doctor.

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