Most of the time, anxiety does not provide any benefit. It always ends up being something that is horrifying.
Of course, I am not just talking about the “regular” or “normal” anxieties. Panic disorders like agoraphobia are among the anxiety-related issues that can bother a person’s life. One should know that their effects can be devastating at some point.
These things can thoroughly disturb your sleeping pattern. Let me give you an example: people who think a lot during bedtime cannot sleep at all. The thoughts they run in their head can turn into anxieties and gradually gnaw them.
So, how does thing take place? Why panic disorder and anxiety cause sleep issues? Read on to find out.
How Anxiety Disorders Make You Sleep Deprived
It is quite notable that individuals that have OCD and anxiety disorders are very susceptible to various physical and health issues. They are the ones who get sick easily. Their mentality can quickly get shambled – especially if they cannot control their selves.
People who have anxiety disorders have more health issues
Sleeping, despite being a natural body process, doesn’t come smoothly and voluntarily. You have to do it and make your body feel that it has to doze off. In short, there are specific prerequisites for a person to get proper sleep.
A healthy lifestyle and sound mind can be the starting point of a regular circadian rhythm. When you have a regulated “body clock,” sleeping would never be a problem on your part.
Unfortunately, such cycle can easily be messed up by many factors. Stress and anxiety are among those hazards that increase the chances of a person to get afflicted by sleep disorders. Here is the reason for that: cortisol.
Cortisol: Its Relation to Anxiety and Stress
The hormone cortisol is something that our brain releases whenever it feels distressed and weary. Therefore, it can be said that people that have high levels of cortisol are typically stressed. If you have a lot of this hormone in your body, serious health issues can happen to you.
High cortisol levels typically are stressful
Cortisol can directly affect our body’s metabolism. For instance, it slows down the creation of collagen, which is essential to our skin. In the long run, this element can make your body prone to diseases.
People who have panic attacks and anxiety disorders have high levels of cortisol. The stress that they feel is far different from the usual worries that an average person can handle. However, any anxiety can spike up the amount of cortisol production.
Cortisol is also being released whenever a person cannot sleep properly. A variety of studies have verified this fact. The production of melatonin and serotonin, essential for sleep, would be affected severely.
Anxieties Cause Difficulty in Relaxation
Sleep requires a person to entirely still his mind. Too many thoughts can cause it to be active, which somehow forfeits your right to enter the dreamland.
Anxiety disorders prevent your system from achieving stillness
Anxiety disorders prevent your system from achieving such stillness and calmness. Because you worry too much, you let your mind overthink. Also, the more you overthink, the lesser your chances to sleep peacefully.
Sleep disorders like insomnia are somehow related to anxiety. Many researchers suggest that the probable cause of insomnia could be the activeness of the mind – which are rooted from an unwarranted continuity of your thought process.
Therefore, people that have anxiety disorders are more susceptible to insomnia and other sleeping difficulties.
Panic Attacks During the Night
Panic attacks can happen to anyone. However, the most prone to these are those who have existing conditions like obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), agoraphobia, and depression. These things can trigger panic attacks, and their symptoms can vary from moderate to severe.
Most prone to panic attacks are those with a pre-existing condition
Panic attacks can disturb your sleep. A person who experiences extreme palpitations, chest pain, and nausea will never get his body to work in his favor. It so happens that these symptoms are directly associated with panic attacks.
Panic attacks in the evening resemble those during the day. However, evening attacks can take place even while you are in the middle of your sleep.
If you are suffering from this condition, it is recommended that you seek medical assistance immediately. You need to get treatment for this problem.
Check out this video to learn more about panic attacks.
Wrapping it Up
Can you stop these worries from happening? Of course, you can! Many methods can help you manage your negative thoughts or emotions. Doing meditation, mental exercises and yoga are among the recommended remedies that you should try.
Many methods can help manage your negative thoughts
It would also be great if you can improve your sleeping environment. If you have a peaceful and clutter-free bedroom, the instances of panic and anxiety will certainly lower. Get special pillows and mattresses that can optimize the comfort and relief that you feel when you sleep.
Lastly, always motivate yourself toward the positive things in life. You have to understand that anxieties are something that you can avoid or control. If you did not take these steps, your sleep would be compromised.
That’s it for now. If you have questions or suggestions, feel free to drop them in the comment section below.
Other resources
Sleep disorders article at the Anxiety and Depression Association of America
Why Panic Disorder and Anxiety Cause Sleep Issues
Anxiety disorder overview
My name is Layla Parker, the founder and chief editor of ASleepyWolf.com. I decided to start taking my blog about sleep seriously to help people find what they need to experience better sleep and maintain their health. Do check out my website to learn more how to improve it now!
