Chronic sleep problems, such as insomnia, can lead to a detrimental decline in mental health, according to recent research conducted by the University of York. The study sheds light on the lasting effects of sustained sleep deprivation and its potential role in exacerbating mental health issues.
Simon*, an NHS mental health nurse, shared his struggles with insomnia, highlighting the profound impact it had on his own mental health despite his role in supporting others with severe mental illness. Insomnia, characterized by persistent difficulties in initiating and maintaining sleep, affects millions of people in the UK, with consequences lasting for months or even years.
Approximately one-third of the population will experience insomnia at some point in their lives, with women and older individuals more frequently affected. The study reveals that nearly 40% of those suffering from insomnia fail to recover within five years, putting them at an increased risk of conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, and mental health disorders like depression and anxiety.
The research team at the University of York has pioneered investigations into the link between sleep deprivation and the brain’s ability to suppress intrusive memories and distressing thoughts – common symptoms of psychiatric disturbance. This groundbreaking work raises questions about the potential for treating mental illness during sleep, possibly through interventions that normalize irregular patterns of brain activity, such as using sounds during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep.
The study also explores the impact of life events on sustained sleep deprivation, with the financial burden and confinement stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic being associated with a greater risk of insomnia, potentially contributing to the rise in mental health problems.
Survivors of traumatic experiences, like Helen*, who suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), report a worsening of symptoms after nights of poor sleep. The research suggests a connection between chronic sleeplessness and the breakdown of mechanisms that help suppress intrusive thoughts, leading to persistent and distressing thought patterns, severe anxiety, and potential psychiatric disturbance.
The study, unique in its examination of how an inability to control intrusive thoughts may contribute to the relationship between sleep deprivation and psychological instability, involved young adults without diagnosed mental health disorders. By studying this population, researchers aimed to understand how even healthy brain processes can go awry when individuals do not get enough sleep.
The research involved a group of young adults (aged 18–25) who were asked to memorize face-image pairs. Following this, half of the participants slept in the laboratory, while the other half stayed awake throughout the night. The findings suggest a potential downward spiral of persistent and frightening intrusive thoughts when individuals experience a lack of sleep, underscoring the intricate relationship between sleep and mental health.
