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Risk factors
By Mayo Clinic staffNearly everyone has an occasional sleepless night. But your risk of insomnia is greater if:
- You're a woman. Women are twice as likely to experience insomnia. Hormonal shifts during the menstrual cycle and in menopause play a role. Many women report problems sleeping during perimenopause, the time leading up to menopause. During menopause, night sweats and hot flashes often disturb sleep. In postmenopausal women, lack of estrogen is thought to contribute to sleep difficulties.
- You're over age 60. Because of changes in sleep patterns, insomnia increases with age. According to some estimates, insomnia affects nearly half of all older people.
- You have a mental health disorder. Many disorders, including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder, disrupt sleep. Early-morning awakening is a classic symptom of depression.
- You're under a lot of stress. Stressful events can cause temporary insomnia, and major or long-lasting stress, such as the death of a loved one or a divorce, can lead to chronic insomnia. Being poor or unemployed also increases the risk.
- You work night or changing shifts. Working at night or frequently changing shifts increases your risk of insomnia.
- You travel long distances. Jet lag from traveling across multiple time zones can cause insomnia.
References
- Bonnet MH, et al. Overview of insomnia. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Dec. 15, 2008.
- Insomnia. National Heart Lung and Blood Institute. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/inso/inso_all.html. Accessed Dec. 15, 2008.
- Wilson JF. In the clinic: Insomnia. Annals of Internal Medicine. 2008;ITC1.
- Wolkove N, et al. Sleep and aging: 1. Sleep disorders commonly found in older people. Canadian Medical Association Journal. 2007;176:1299.
- Ramakrishnan K., et al. Treatment options for insomnia. American Family Physician. 2007;76:517.
- In brief: Your guide to healthy sleep. National Heart Lung and Blood Institute. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/sleep/healthysleepfs.pdf. Accessed Dec. 15, 2008.
- Cole C, et al. Sleep disruption in older adults. American Journal of Nursing. 2007;107:40.
- Insomnia. National Women's Health Information Center. http://www.womenshealth.gov/faq/Insomnia.cfm. Accessed Dec. 15, 2008.
- Your Guide to Healthy Sleep. National Heart Lung and Blood Institute. www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/sleep/healthy_sleep.pdf. Accessed Dec. 15, 2008.
- Bonnet MH, et al. Types of insomnia. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Dec. 15, 2008.
- Bonnet MH, et al. Diagnostic evaluation of insomnia. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Dec. 15, 2008.
- Whitworth JD, et al. Which nondrug alternatives can help with insomnia? The Journal of Family Practice. 2007;56:836.
- Lamberg L. Despite effectiveness, behavioral therapy for chronic insomnia still underused. JAMA: The journal of the American Medical Association. 2008;300:2474.
- Bonnet MH, et al. Patient information: Insomnia treatments. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Dec. 15, 2008.
- Bonnet MH, et al. Treatment of insomnia: Pharmacologic therapy. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Dec. 15, 2008.
- Wolkove N, et al. Sleep and aging: 2. Management of sleep disorders in older people. Canadian Medical Association Journal. 2007;176:1449.
- Bonnet MH, et al. Treatment of insomnia: Nonpharmacologic therapy. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Dec. 15, 2008.
