A recent review of research evidence underscores the profound impact of sleep and circadian rhythm disruptions on triggering or worsening psychiatric disorders. Published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the study suggests that gaining a deeper understanding of the intricate relationship between sleep, circadian rhythms, and mental health could pave the way for holistic treatments to alleviate mental health problems.
Dr. Sarah L. Chellappa, the senior author of the review from the University of Southampton, emphasizes that sleep-circadian disturbances are pervasive across all categories of psychiatric disorders. While sleep disturbances like insomnia are well-established in the development and maintenance of psychiatric disorders, the understanding of circadian disturbances lags behind.
The research, conducted by an international team from the University of Southampton, Kings College London, Stanford University, and other institutions, focuses on recent evidence regarding sleep and circadian factors, with a particular emphasis on adolescents and young adults experiencing psychiatric disorders—a vulnerable demographic where disruptions in sleep and circadian rhythms are likely to occur.
Insomnia emerges as a common concern among individuals with mental health disorders, impacting over half of those in early psychosis and a substantial proportion of individuals with mood disorders. The review also sheds light on circadian rhythm sleep-wake disorders (CRSWD), indicating that 32% of bipolar disorder patients exhibit Delayed Sleep–Wake Phase Disorder.
The review delves into potential mechanisms behind sleep-circadian disturbances, exploring factors such as physiological changes during adolescence, genetic predispositions, exposure to light, and neuroplasticity.
Dr. Nicholas Meyer from King’s College London, co-leader of the review, highlights the variability in the duration and timing of sleep during adolescence, leading to a misalignment between the body clock and sleep–wake rhythms, increasing the risk of sleep disturbances and adverse mental health outcomes.
The review also points to innovative treatments, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) and light therapy, as effective interventions for anxiety, depressive symptoms, and trauma in individuals with mental health disorders.
Dr. Renske Lok from Stanford University, co-leader of the review, emphasizes the potential for targeting sleep and circadian risk factors to develop preventative measures and therapies. Population-level considerations, personalized interventions, and innovative multicomponent interventions like Transdiagnostic Intervention for Sleep and Circadian dysfunction (Trans-C) are highlighted as avenues for advancing mental health treatments.
Dr. Chellappa concludes that the research signals a pivotal moment for mental health, poised to leverage extraordinary advances in sleep and circadian science to enhance the understanding and treatment of psychiatric disorders.
