Insomnia

Nowhere has the need for identifying the underlying causes of insomnia better been illustrated than the melatonin study that recently hit the media. Upon first glance, it appeared melatonin was associated with increased morbidity and mortality (illness and death.) However, association does not always equal causation (just because things appear to go together does not mean that one causes the other.)

What the study DID demonstrate is that the causes of insomnia–heart disease, sleep apnea, mental health concerns-themselves are likely linked to increased morbidity and mortality.

The classic example is sleep apnea. Untreated sleep apnea causes both insomnia and congestive heart failure. If one were to treat the insomnia with medicine, erasing the warning signs, the sleep-related breathing issues may continue, leading to congestive heart failure. Likewise, in the case of bipolar disorder, treating insomnia by “knocking individuals asleep” may improve sleep quality and transiently improve the bipolar symptoms, as acute sleep relief is part of the treatment options for hypomanic bipolar disorder. However, without treating the underlying cause-mood dysregulation-bipolar disorder will remain present and may become more refractory to treatment over time.

If sleep difficulties plague your every-day life, please reach out and see if we can help identify the underlying causes and navigate improved sleep quality.