The Sleep-Anxiety Connection
Anxiety disorders represent the most common and debilitating mental health problem experienced by kids and teens today, with estimated prevalence rates ranging from 12% to 30%. Unfortunately, these rates are only going up.
Most people who struggle with anxiety also report sleep difficulties. In fact, there seems to be a reciprocal relationship between sleep problems and anxiety, whereby disturbed sleep increases a child’s vulnerability to developing anxiety, and anxiety then interferes with sleep. Anyone who has experienced anxiety can tell you that, as soon as the lights go out, the worries start swirling and it’s really hard to turn them off. After that comes a fitful night of tossing and turning, checking the clock, and being frustrated that sleep isn’t coming. The next day brings exhaustion, irritability, and even more anxiety. This vicious cycle can go on and on and feel never-ending.
While this connection between anxiety and poor sleep can be frustrating and difficult, there is actually some good news about it. If someone learns how to manage their anxiety, sleep tends to get better without any further intervention. And it also goes the other way! If we’re able to help someone sleep better and get the proper rest they need, anxiety tends to get better all on its own. This is really exciting news because people get a double boost when they solve their sleep problems – they feel more rested and less anxious.
Kids with sleep problems and anxiety will likely turn into teens and adults with sleep problems and anxiety if nothing is done to help. Fortunately, we now have so many wonderful interventions for both. For instance, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is the gold-standard treatment for anxiety and has great results for the majority of kids who try it. Sleep problems can also be well-managed through behavioral programs like SleepSavvy Kids. If we can intervene early, kids can avoid many of the problems that are becoming rampant in adolescence, such as extreme sleep-deprivation, anxiety, and depression.
