The following things could explain your sleeplessness: Your doctor may be able to help you understand the underlying cause. It’s important to understand that causes of poor mental health and difficulty sleeping often overlap. Taking psychotropic drugs to combat insomnia places people at greater risk of developing mental disorders as a side effect.⁵ Research indicates that people with “low sleep efficiency” wake frequently, feel sleepy during the day, and generally feel tired all the time. It’s a bit like the chicken and the egg: your anxiety may contribute to your difficulty sleeping, which can worsen your anxiety. Depression is also a known risk factor for insomnia.³ ⁴Īnxiety and depression can form a vicious circle of sleep struggles. Up to 75% of people with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) have insomnia. Anxiety- and depression-related insomnia in older adults However, insomnia in older adults may also be related to poorer health rather than the aging process.
Hormone production slows with decreased photic input, meaning you can’t rely on sleep-inducing melatonin and cortisol as much as you did in the past. This leads to less input for the SCN, primarily due to ocular issues, such as clouding and yellowing of the lens. Healthy aging is related to reduced sensitivity to sunlight. Light exposure via the eyes is the SCN’s primary source. Its function naturally deteriorates with age.¹ ²Ĭues from the SCN are responsible for regulating your circadian rhythm. The suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) that controls the hypothalamus ages as you do. The master clock in your brain’s hypothalamus controls your circadian rhythm - the 24-hour daily cycle that reminds you when you’re hungry, alert, or sleepy. Why older adults have a hard time getting a good night’s sleep
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