{"id":3105,"date":"2022-03-04T17:53:20","date_gmt":"2022-03-04T16:53:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mtasean.com\/public\/?page_id=3105"},"modified":"2025-12-18T15:13:54","modified_gmt":"2025-12-18T14:13:54","slug":"sleepless-in-schizophrenia-uncovering-causes-and-solutions","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/mtasean.com\/public\/sleepless-in-schizophrenia-uncovering-causes-and-solutions\/","title":{"rendered":"Sleepless in schizophrenia? Uncovering causes and solutions"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-rea-inpage-nav-rea-inpage-nav-block rea-inpage-nav-block front has-margin\"><div class=\"rea-inpage-nav-block__image\" style=\"background-image: url(https:\/\/mtasean.com\/public\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/wooden.png)\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"inpage-nav-background\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/mtasean.com\/public\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/wooden.png\"><\/div><div class=\"rea-inpage-nav-block__content\"><div class=\"rea-inpage-nav-block__content--wrapper\"><div class=\"text-wrapper\"><h2 class=\"inpage-nav-title\">Sleepless in schizophrenia? Uncovering causes and solutions<\/h2><ul class=\"inpage-nav-list\"><\/ul><\/div><div class=\"section-nav\"><h4 class=\"section-nav--title\">In this section<\/h4><div class=\"section-nav--nav-items js-inpage-nav-items\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-rea-illustration-rea-illustration-block rea-illustration-block front\"><img class=\"illustration-bg\" alt=\"\"><div class=\"rea-illustration-block__content\"><div class=\"rea-illustration-block__image image-wrapper\"><a href=\"\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"is-blocked\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"illustration left\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/mtasean.com\/public\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Sleep-image.jpg\" style=\"max-width: 72%\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"rea-mobile illustration-mobile\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/mtasean.com\/public\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Sleep-image.jpg\"><\/a><\/div><p class=\"rea-site__caption caption-text align-left\"><\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-rea-separator-rea-separator-block rea-separator-block front\"><div class=\"rea-separator-block__content\"><hr class=\"rea-separator-block__separator\"><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-rea-title-rea-title-block rea-title-block front\"><div class=\"rea-title-block__content\"><h3 id=\"strongsleepless-in-schizophrenia-uncovering-causes-and-solutionsstrong\" class=\"content-title \"><strong>Sleepless in schizophrenia? Uncovering causes and solutions<\/strong><\/h3><h4 class=\"content-subtitle rea-hidden\"><\/h4><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-rea-separator-rea-separator-block rea-separator-block front\"><div class=\"rea-separator-block__content\"><hr class=\"rea-separator-block__separator\"><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-rea-title-rea-title-block rea-title-block front\"><div class=\"rea-title-block__content\"><h3 id=\"strongstrongstrongsleepless-in-schizophrenia-uncovering-causes-and-solutionsstrongstrongstrong\" class=\"content-title \"><strong><strong><strong>Sleepless in schizophrenia? Uncovering causes and solutions<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h3><h4 class=\"content-subtitle rea-hidden\"><\/h4><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-rea-paragraph-rea-paragraph-block rea-paragraph-block front\"><div class=\"rea-paragraph-block__content\"><p class=\"content-text\">If you or someone you care for with schizophrenia has trouble sleeping, then read on. In this article, types of sleep problems, such as insomnia, and their possible causes are discussed. The importance of sleep is highlighted together with some ideas on how schizophrenia and sleep problems might be managed.<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-rea-separator-rea-separator-block rea-separator-block front\"><div class=\"rea-separator-block__content\"><hr class=\"rea-separator-block__separator\"><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-rea-title-rea-title-block rea-title-block front\"><div class=\"rea-title-block__content\"><h3 id=\"strongstrongstrongstrongthe-importance-of-sleep-for-schizophreniastrongstrongstrongstrong\" class=\"content-title \"><strong><strong><strong><strong>The importance of sleep for schizophrenia<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h3><h4 class=\"content-subtitle rea-hidden\"><\/h4><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-rea-paragraph-rea-paragraph-block rea-paragraph-block front\"><div class=\"rea-paragraph-block__content\"><p class=\"content-text\">Sleep is important for the overall health of everyone<sup>1<\/sup>, and it is especially true for those with schizophrenia.<sup>2<\/sup> Indeed, it\u2019s well known that sleep is key to normal brain functioning and that both memory and learning can be affected by sleep disturbances.<sup>3,4<\/sup><br>\u00a0<br>Moreover, for people with schizophrenia, lack of sleep has been linked to the worsening of symptoms and poor clinical outcomes, including an increased risk for suicide.<sup>2,5 <\/sup>Sleep issues may have started before the first signs of schizophrenia and may be an early warning sign that schizophrenia symptoms are about to get worse.<sup>6<\/sup><br><\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-rea-separator-rea-separator-block rea-separator-block front\"><div class=\"rea-separator-block__content\"><hr class=\"rea-separator-block__separator\"><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-rea-title-rea-title-block rea-title-block front\"><div class=\"rea-title-block__content\"><h3 id=\"strongstrongstrongstrongtypes-of-sleep-problemsstrongstrongstrongstrong\" class=\"content-title \"><strong><strong><strong><strong>Types of sleep problems<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h3><h4 class=\"content-subtitle rea-hidden\"><\/h4><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-rea-paragraph-rea-paragraph-block rea-paragraph-block front\"><div class=\"rea-paragraph-block__content\"><p class=\"content-text\">When you think of a sleep problem, insomnia might be the first to come to mind. Indeed, it\u2019s a common problem that can affect anyone occasionally<sup>7<\/sup> and around every second person with schizophrenia<sup>2<\/sup> \u2013 but what is it exactly? Insomnia is a condition in which the person struggles falling or staying asleep and therefore can feel very tired, irritable, or very drained throughout the day.<sup>7<\/sup><br>\u00a0<br>Insomnia is just one of several types of so-called sleep-wake disorders that may affect people with mental health conditions such as schizophrenia; additional sleep problems can include:<sup>2, 7\u201312<\/sup><br>\u00a0<br>1.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 sleepwalking or talking (parasomnias)<br>2.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 having regular nightmares or night terrors (nightmare disorder)<br>3.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 falling asleep suddenly and unexpectedly at random times during the day (narcolepsy)<br>4.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 stopping breathing on and off while asleep (obstructive sleep apnoea)<br>5.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 involuntary limb movements (restless legs syndrome)<br>\u00a0<br>Importantly, more than one sleep disorder may be experienced by the same individual, with one study suggesting that people with early psychosis have an average of three sleep disorders.<sup>2<\/sup><br>\u00a0<br><\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-rea-separator-rea-separator-block rea-separator-block front\"><div class=\"rea-separator-block__content\"><hr class=\"rea-separator-block__separator\"><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-rea-title-rea-title-block rea-title-block front\"><div class=\"rea-title-block__content\"><h3 id=\"strongstrongstrongcauses-of-sleep-disturbancesstrongstrongstrong\" class=\"content-title \"><strong><strong><strong>Causes of sleep disturbances<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h3><h4 class=\"content-subtitle rea-hidden\"><\/h4><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-rea-paragraph-rea-paragraph-block rea-paragraph-block front\"><div class=\"rea-paragraph-block__content\"><p class=\"content-text\">Sleep disturbances may occur for a variety of reasons.<sup>7<\/sup> Stress, anxiety and depression can have a huge impact on people\u2019s ability to sleep, as can trying to sleep in an uncomfortable or noisy environment.<sup>7<\/sup> High caffeine consumption, <a class=\"rank-math-link\" href=\"https:\/\/mtasean.com\/public\/alcohol-and-schizophrenia\/\">alcohol use<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/mtasean.com\/public\/schizophrenia-and-smoking-give-in-or-give-up\/\" class=\"rank-math-link\">smoking<\/a>\u00a0and <a href=\"https:\/\/mtasean.com\/public\/illicit-drug-use-and-schizophrenia\/\" class=\"rank-math-link\">illicit drug use<\/a><a class=\"rank-math-link\"> <\/a>\u00a0can also affect sleeping.<sup>7<\/sup><br>\u00a0<br>Furthermore, vitamin or mineral deficiencies may also play a role, which is why good <a href=\"https:\/\/mtasean.com\/public\/diet-nutrition-and-schizophrenia-are-you-what-you-eat\/\">diet and nutrition<\/a> are important<sup>12<\/sup> &#8211; restless legs syndrome, for example, has been linked to an iron deficiency.<sup>12<\/sup> Moreover, poor diet and lack of <a href=\"https:\/\/mtasean.com\/public\/why-should-people-living-with-schizophrenia-exercise\/\">exercise<\/a> can lead to being overweight and eventually, to obesity. Carrying excess weight is disadvantageous as it can also affect the ability to sleep and is linked to the development of sleep apnoea.<sup>6,11<\/sup> Further risk factors for sleep apnoea include smoking; regular alcohol consumption; and having another family member that suffers from it.<sup>11<\/sup><br>\u00a0<br>Problems sleeping may also be caused by dysregulated signalling in the brain of people with schizophrenia, causing them to feel more awake and stimulated when they should be asleep.<sup>6<\/sup><br><br><\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-rea-title-rea-title-block rea-title-block front\"><div class=\"rea-title-block__content\"><h3 id=\"strongstrongstrongstronghow-much-sleep-do-you-needstrongstrongstrongstrong\" class=\"content-title \"><strong><strong><strong><strong>How much sleep do you need?<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h3><h4 class=\"content-subtitle rea-hidden\"><\/h4><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-rea-paragraph-rea-paragraph-block rea-paragraph-block front\"><div class=\"rea-paragraph-block__content\"><p class=\"content-text\">So, how much sleep does an average adult need? The general advice is to try to sleep around 7 to 9 hours a day, with most people aiming for about 8 hours.<sup>7<\/sup> Everyone is different, however, and people tend to need less sleep as they get older.<sup>7 <\/sup>While lack of sleep can be a problem, oversleeping (sleeping for more than 9 hours) can also be an issue and a sign of a mental health condition such as schizophrenia.<sup>13<\/sup><br>\u00a0<br>It\u2019s not just about the amount of sleep that you get, however, it\u2019s also about the quality.<sup>8<\/sup> There are four different phases of sleep.<sup>14<\/sup> From dropping off to sleep within a few minutes to being in a deep sleep, there is a cyclical pattern that varies from person to person.<sup>14<\/sup> It\u2019s thought that the last of the four phases \u2013\u00a0REM sleep \u2013 is the most important for normal brain functioning.<sup>14<\/sup> Not being able to fall sleep or not staying asleep long enough will therefore have an impact of how much quality sleep you can get.<sup>14<\/sup><br>\u00a0<br>The timing of going to sleep is also important.<sup>8,15<\/sup> For most people, our natural 24-hour cycle or internal body clock (circadian rhythm) will be to sleep at night when it is dark and then be awake in the day when it is light.<sup>15 <\/sup>If the actual time you go to bed is out of sync with your internal body clock, then this can lead to sleep problems.<sup>15<\/sup><br>\u00a0<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-rea-title-rea-title-block rea-title-block front\"><div class=\"rea-title-block__content\"><h3 id=\"strongstrongstrongstrongstrongsolutions-to-improve-sleepstrongstrongstrongstrongstrong\" class=\"content-title \"><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong>Solutions to improve sleep<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h3><h4 class=\"content-subtitle rea-hidden\"><\/h4><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-rea-paragraph-rea-paragraph-block rea-paragraph-block front\"><div class=\"rea-paragraph-block__content\"><p class=\"content-text\">Sleep problems can often be overlooked in the management of schizophrenia, but it\u2019s becoming increasingly clear that it\u2019s an important part of someone\u2019s care.<sup>2<\/sup><br><sup>\u00a0<\/sup><br>While there are some things you can do to <a href=\"https:\/\/mtasean.com\/public\/understanding-schizophrenia\/healthyliving\">improve sleep<\/a>, such as creating a comfortable, noise-free environment or trying to be consistent with the time you go to bed and wake up, seeking professional help is advised.<sup>7,16<\/sup><br>\u00a0<br>A healthcare professional will be able to spot if there is an underlying cause for the sleeplessness other than having schizophrenia and will help you address it. Moreover, they will be there to help and support you should you need help with <a href=\"https:\/\/mtasean.com\/public\/addiction\/\">alcohol or drug use<\/a>, or general advice on the treatments available to help you sleep better.<br>\u00a0<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-rea-references-rea-references-block rea-references-block front\"><div class=\"rea-references-block__references\"><p class=\"references-title\">References<\/p><ol class=\"references-list\"><li>Sleep Foundation. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sleepfoundation.org\/how-sleep-works\/why-do-we-need-sleep\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Why do we need to sleep?<\/a> Accessed February 2022.<\/li><li>Waite F, Evans N, Myers E, <em>et al.<\/em> <a href=\"https:\/\/bpspsychub.onlinelibrary.wiley.com\/doi\/10.1111\/papt.12073\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">The patient experience of sleep problems and their treatment in the context of current delusions and hallucinations<\/a>. <em>Psychol Psychother<\/em>. 2016;89:181\u201393.<\/li><li>Anderson KN, Bradley AJ. <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.2147\/nss.s34842\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Sleep disturbance in mental health problems and neurodegenerative disease<\/a>. <em>Nat Sci Sleep.<\/em> 2-13;5<strong>:<\/strong>61\u201375.<\/li><li>S Sprecher KE, Ferrarelli F, Benca RM. <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/7854_2014_366\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Sleep and plasticity in schizophrenia<\/a>. <em>Curr Top Behav Neurosci<\/em>. 2015;25<strong>:<\/strong>433\u201358.\u00a0<\/li><li>Reeve S,\u00a0 Sheaves B, Freeman D. <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1093\/schbul\/sby129\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Sleep disorders in early psychosis: incidence, severity, and association with clinical symptoms<\/a>. <em>Schizophr Bull<\/em>. 2019;45(2):287\u00ad\u201395.<\/li><li>Kaskie RE, Graziano B, Ferrarelli F. <a href=\"https:\/\/dx.doi.org\/10.2147%2FNSS.S121076\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Schizophrenia and sleep disorders: links, risks, and management challenges<\/a>. <em>Nat Sci Sleep<\/em>. 2017;<strong>9:<\/strong>227\u201339.<\/li><li>NHS. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/conditions\/insomnia\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Insomnia<\/a>. Accessed February 2022.<\/li><li>American Psychiatric Association. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.psychiatry.org\/patients-families\/sleep-disorders\/what-are-sleep-disorders\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">What are sleep disorders?<\/a> Accessed February 2022.<\/li><li>Sleep foundation. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sleepfoundation.org\/parasomnias\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Parasomnias<\/a>. Accessed February 2022.<\/li><li>NHS. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/conditions\/narcolepsy\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Narcolepsy<\/a>. Accessed February 2022<\/li><li>NHS. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/conditions\/sleep-apnoea\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Sleep apnoea<\/a>. Accessed February 2022<\/li><li>NHS. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/conditions\/restless-legs-syndrome\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Restless legs syndrome<\/a>. Accessed February 2022.<\/li><li>Sleep Foundation. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sleepfoundation.org\/how-sleep-works\/oversleeping\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Oversleeping<\/a>. Accessed February 2022. <\/li><li>Sleep Foundation. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sleepfoundation.org\/how-sleep-works\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">How sleep works<\/a>. Accessed February 2022.<\/li><li>Sleep Foundation. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sleepfoundation.org\/circadian-rhythm\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Circadian rhythm<\/a>. Accessed February 2022.<\/li><li>NHS. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/every-mind-matters\/mental-health-issues\/sleep\/#understanding-sleep-problems\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Trouble sleeping<\/a>. Accessed February 2022.<\/li><\/ol><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-rea-title-rea-title-block rea-title-block front rea-share-block\" style=\"margin-bottom:30px;text-align:center;\">\n\t\t<div class=\"\">\n\t\t\t<span style=\"display:block;margin-bottom:10px;font-size:20px;\">Share<\/span>\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer\/sharer.php?u=https:\/\/mtasean.com\/public\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3105\" class=\"facebook-share\" target=\"_blank\"><\/a>\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/shareArticle?mini=true&#038;url=https:\/\/mtasean.com\/public\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3105\" class=\"linkedin-share\" target=\"_blank\"><\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Share<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"page-fullwidth.php","meta":{"rea_page_title_signed_in_meta_block_field":"SLEEPLESS IN SCHIZOPHRENIA","rea_page_title_signed_out_meta_block_field":"SLEEPLESS IN SCHIZOPHRENIA","rea_page_description_signed_in_meta_block_field":"Schizophrenia and sleep problems are the focus of this article. This includes insomnia and how sleep disturbances can be treated.","rea_page_description_signed_out_meta_block_field":"Schizophrenia and sleep problems are the focus of this article. This includes insomnia and how sleep disturbances can be treated.","rea_page_footer_id_meta_block_field":"","rea_page_footer_date_meta_block_field":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-3105","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/mtasean.com\/public\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3105","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/mtasean.com\/public\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/mtasean.com\/public\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mtasean.com\/public\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mtasean.com\/public\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3105"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/mtasean.com\/public\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3105\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5059,"href":"https:\/\/mtasean.com\/public\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3105\/revisions\/5059"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/mtasean.com\/public\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3105"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}