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 Anxiety and Insomnia - What comes first?

Many people have that odd night or two where they may have difficulty going to sleep and/or staying asleep. It is only when the odd night or two extends to a considerable period of time that it is likely to be considered a sleep disorder. It may not have been an anxiety problem to start with, but it sure will become that as time goes on and if nothing is done to overcome the initial cause.

When caused by anxiety, insomnia may not be quite as easy to cure as you would expect because anxiety sleep disorders can range from mild to very severe thus
preventing you from getting any sleep at all. There are a number of anxiety disorders that often lead to insomnia for example, panic orders, post traumatic stress and obsessive compulsive.

Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome

Another type of anxiety sleep disorder that a person can suffer from is post traumatic stress syndrome. This occurs when a person becomes extremely anxious after having experienced a event such as an accident, rape or even terrorist acts. Such events come to haunt the person especially in the nighttime when the person becomes most fearful and will thus have difficulty in getting any sleep.

Panic Disorders

Panic disorder is a severe instance of anxiety in which the sufferer will feel that something terrible is going to happen, something that can strike giving any warning. This condition is particularly devastating at night when it may even require the sufferer to be hospitalized because of its intensity. In this situation the condition really is an extreme case of anxiety sleep disorder.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

There is another type of anxiety sleep disorder which is known as obsessive-compulsive disorder. The sufferer becomes obsessed with thinking about rituals that are quite uncontrollable and which persist even the person knows that these thoughts are quite senseless. It is an instance of anxiety sleep disorder which can be attributed to feeling fear and thus a person will not get to sleep because he or she is in dread of experiencing nightmares.

Dealing with the Anxiety

To be able to deal with an anxiety sleep disorder, one may need to take certain steps including practicing good sleep hygiene and even self hypnosis. While a hot bath before turning in for the night is also recommended. A bath is preferable as a shower can be a bit too stimulating and could further keep you from falling asleep.

Playing soothing music while in bed is an option that helps many people deal with their insomnia. Take this a step further and try meditation as well as yoga movements, or you may find slow deep breathing exercises beneficial.

Of course, if your anxiety and insomnia continue you should seek medical advice.


Joan Maughan has been researching a wide range of health issues, insomnia and sleep disorders being the latest in her quest for answers and solutions.