Increase text size: A A A

Type in the condition you need,
or visit Advanced Search

Print this page

Email this to a friend

Comment on this page

Save to my Health Library

Johns Hopkins Health Alert

Insomnia and Mood Disorders

Johns Hopkins Health Alerts | Depression and Anxiety |

Insomnia and Mood Disorders

David N. Neubauer, M.D, associate director of the Johns Hopkins Sleep Disorders Center, answers patients’ questions about the interrelationship between insomnia and mood disorders. He begins with the chicken-and-egg question…

Q. Do sleep disorders cause mood disorders or vice versa?

A. That’s not an easy question to answer. It is a relationship that goes both ways. There is very clear evidence that when a person is experiencing a mood disorder, particularly a major depressive episode, he or she is highly likely to suffer from sleep disturbance -- most often, insomnia. In fact, insomnia is so expected that it’s part of the diagnostic criteria in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV).

When surveying people who are depressed, we find that 80% experience sleeplessness, and it’s not only the classic early-morning awakening associated with depression, but rather all the possibilities, including difficulty falling asleep and middle-of-the-night awakenings. There is also the issue of severity: The more depressed someone is, the more likely it is that he or she will have insomnia. The converse is true, too. If a person suffers from insomnia, over time it creates a risk for developing a mood disorder such as major depression. There are several excellent observational studies that demonstrate the link between insomnia and the future risk of developing a mood disorder. The link is evident as quickly as one year after an episode of insomnia, and can last as long as decades.

Regardless of which comes first, there is a lot of comorbidity (coexistence) between insomnia and depression, and it’s important to address both conditions. One of the greatest challenges in depression is to find the medication (or combination of medications) that will alleviate the depression as well as the insomnia.

Q. What is the connection between insomnia and anxiety disorders?

A. Researchers have documented the frequency of insomnia among specific subcategories of anxiety disorders, such as panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and even social anxiety disorder. Data indicate that insomnia is just as common among people with anxiety disorders as people with depressive disorders. It is an equally strong link.

For more Alerts and Special Reports, please visit the Depression and Anxiety Topic page.

Johns Hopkins Health Alerts | Depression and Anxiety |

Insomnia and Mood Disorders

Posted in Depression and Anxiety on April 11, 2007
Reviewed March 2010

Notify Me

Would you like us to inform you when we post new Depression and Anxiety Health Alerts?

Your email address:

Comments

Post a Comment

Health Alerts registered users may post comments and share experiences here at their own discretion. We regret that questions on individual health concerns to the Johns Hopkins editors cannot be answered in this space.

The views expressed here do not constitute medical advice, and do not represent the position of Johns Hopkins Medicine or MediZine LLC, which has no responsibility for any comments posted on this site.


I think I may have Fibromyalgia. Ive been in pain for about 3 years now, and to 2 Doctors. The Rhumetologist I saw 2 years ago, said I had Bursitis, but that doesnt even make sence to me, because I have insomnia, depression, muscle pain, and swollen glands. Anyone have any comments, or reasurance? I do have an appointment with another Rhumetoligist, for next month. Hope to here from someone soon.

Posted by: lburda | April 14, 2007

I think I may have Fibromyalgia. Ive been in pain for about 3 years now, and to 2 Doctors. The Rhumetologist I saw 2 years ago, said I had Bursitis, but that doesnt even make sence to me, because I have insomnia, depression, muscle pain, and swollen glands. Anyone have any comments, or reasurance? I do have an appointment with another Rhumetoligist, for next month. Hope to here from someone soon.

Posted by: lburda | April 14, 2007



Post a Comment


Already a subscriber?
Login

Email:

Password:


Forgot your password?

New to Johns Hopkins Health Alerts?
Register to submit your comments.

Your Email Address:

(example: yourname@domain.com)

 

(800) 829-0422

Registered Users Log-in:

Email:

Password:

Remember me
Forgot Password?

Become a Registered User!
It's fast and FREE!
The Benefits of Being A Registered User

Health Topic Pages

Arthritis
Back Pain & Osteoporosis
Cancer
Caregivers | Caregiving
Colon Cancer
Complementary Medicine
Depression & Anxiety
Diabetes
Digestive Health
Enlarged Prostate
Exercise and Fitness
Healthy Living
Heart Health
Hypertension & Stroke
Lung Disorders
Memory
Men's Health
Nutrition
Prescription Drugs
Prostate Disorders
Sexual Health
Vision
Weight Control
Women's Health
Health Alert Special Report


ALL NEW FOR 2010!

  1. All new editions of the Johns Hopkins White Papers
  2. All available as instant digital downloads

Johns Hopkins’ Bestsellers

Depression and Anxiety

Our Featured Title:

  • 2010 Depression and Anxiety White Paper
    Includes major depression, dysthymia, atypical depression, bipolar disorder, seasonal affective disorder, panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and phobic disorders. Read more...


    Related Titles:

  • The Johns Hopkins Medical Letter: Health After 50
    When you're over 50, it's more important than ever to have access to reliable health information. You won't find a more authoritative source than The Johns Hopkins Medical Letter: Health After 50. Read more...



  • © 2010 MediZine LLC. All rights reserved.
    Contact Us
    customerservice@johnshopkinshealthalerts.com