Lack of sleep can be a contributing factor to anxiety and can reduce our productivity at work and our overall enjoyment of life. Whether your sleeplessness is a result of work stresses, environmental conditions, or general insomnia, the harmful effects can include increased negative emotions and a decreased ability to distinguish between threatening and non-threatening situations. Here is a deeper look into how sleep deprivation impacts our brains and causes anxiety.

How Sleep Deprivation Causes Anxiety

Sleep Deprivation and the Brain

Research has shown that a sleep-deprived brain—regardless of any pre-existing anxiety issues—has a heightened negativity bias. Lack of sleep sensitizes the area of the brain known as the amygdala, which is where fear responses are generated. As a result, lack of sleep can mean going through your day in a hyper-aroused fear state.

How Everyday Life Is Affected

Even if you don’t have an anxiety disorder, chronic sleep deprivation can lead to fear and even an irrational perception of the events that happen around us. 

If you do have an anxiety disorder, sleep deprivation will only exacerbate the issue. Increased fear and anxious feelings impact every area of our lives—work, family, health. High levels of fear keep you from taking risks, trying new things, and approaching challenges with confidence. Our communication and listening abilities are also impacted, which can hurt our relationships. If you are exhausted, you are less likely to exercise, eat well, and practice self-care. It’s a vicious cycle; Anxiety can be caused by a lack of sleep, and it can prevent us from being able to fall asleep. 

Are you sleep deprived and suffering from anxious anxiety? Counseling Solutions of Alaska, located in Anchorage, AK, can help you with anxiety, depression, and PTSD. Their team of mental health professionals are committed to offering quality, personalized, and compassionate care. Call (907) 644-8044 to make an appointment, or visit their website to learn more about their staff and services.