People with insomnia often have a mental health condition or vice versa.

Sleep is extremely important for your mental health. During sleep, your body is able to repair itself. Your brain sorts through information, and your nervous system gets a much-needed break.

If you live with insomnia — meaning you consistently have trouble falling or staying asleep — your body misses out on these healing processes.

Insomnia and mental illness commonly occur together. A significant lack of sleep can trigger or worsen mental health symptoms. In turn, mental health conditions can lead to insomnia.

Insomnia has a complex relationship with mental illness.

A 2024 study noted that epidemiological studies have found a 40-50% comorbidity prevalence between insomnia and psychiatric disorders, suggesting a high relevance of mental health in people with insomnia.

The link between insomnia and mental health can run both ways. A psychiatric disorder can lead to insomnia, and insomnia can worsen or trigger a mental health condition.

However, in many cases, there is no direct cause-and-effect, but rather a situation where both conditions are different symptoms of the same condition. For instance, unbalanced blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes can lead to both insomnia and anxiety.

Occasionally, short-term insomnia can be an isolated condition or the result of a certain lifestyle or work schedule (for instance, working the night shift).

Often, the particular characteristics of your insomnia and other symptoms can be helpful in determining the role of mental illness in your inability to sleep.

Insomnia can be a primary or secondary condition.

  • Primary insomnia isn’t caused by another medical or psychological condition.
  • Secondary insomnia is the result of other conditions, such as depression, thyroid problems, or asthma.

Below are some mental health conditions that are commonly seen with insomnia or other sleep disturbances:

  • Depression: Insomnia is a core symptom of depression. In a 2018 study, more than 90% of people with major depressive disorder (MDD) reported insomnia-related sleep disturbances. People with insomnia may develop depression more often compared to those who sleep well.
  • Anxiety: According to a 2020 study, up to 36% of participants with insomnia had anxiety.
  • Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD): A Swedish population study in 2020 found that people with OCD are nearly 7 times more likely to receive an insomnia diagnosis or be given medication for insomnia.
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): Disrupted sleep is a core component of PTSD. This may be related to anxiety or nightmares.
  • Substance use disorder (SUD): Substance use, intoxication, and withdrawal can disturb sleeping patterns.
  • Schizophrenia: A 2024 study notes that people with schizophrenia often have disturbed sleep.
  • Bipolar disorder: Sleep problems can be linked to depression or mania. Mania in bipolar disorder is often directly related to a sudden and dramatic decrease in need for sleep.

Insomnia has a complex relationship with mental illness. The link between the two has many factors.

Insomnia may lead to or worsen mental health conditions, such as depression, as vice versa. Insomnia and depression may also be two different symptoms of the same condition, like diabetes or chronic pain.

Insomnia may significantly reduce your quality of life. If you live with insomnia, consider reaching out to a trusted healthcare professional to discuss your treatment options.