Psychiatria pre prax 4/2013

Chronic insomnia and mental disorders

Long-term reduction of sleep leads to severe mental and somatic disturbances and profoundly exacerbates symptoms of patients with psychiatric conditions. It is well known that insomnia occurs with high prevalence almost in every mental disorder, and it is often difficult to distinguish whether insomnia precedes or arises from mental disorder. However, in most cases, sleep disorder and psychiatric condition co-exist in complex and reciprocally interacting manner, so they form a vicious circle that facilitates progression to chronic course. This review aims to introduce several types of insomnia associated with mental disturbances and mainly to emphasize importance of its diagnosis and treatment in routine psychiatric practice.

Keywords: sleep, insomnia, mental disorders, anxiety, depression.